A historical Turkish bazaar dating back to the Ottoman era has been revived after many years in the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) capital city of Skopje. Following the restoration of some parts of the bazaar, which is under protection by FYROM's Culture Ministry, the market has become one of the most visited places by tourists in the city.
“The old Turkish bazaar is the only one of its kind in the Balkans. Even though some parts of the market were demolished in the 17th century on the order of Austrian Gen. Pikolomin and it could thus not be restored entirely to its former state, the bazaar has thus far succeeded in surviving,” said Behicüddin Şehabi, the head of the Culture Ministry’s Department for the Protection of Historical Artifacts.
Financed by Turkey
The Turkish bazaar was also badly damaged during an earthquake in 1963, Şehabi said. “The mosques in the bazaar were restored thanks to financial support provided by the Turkish government to Skopje,” he added. According to Şehabi, additional projects are also on the way to restore other parts of the Ottoman heritage in FYROM.
Following the restoration of the Köse Kadı Mosque, the Kapan Han (roadhouse), the Sulu Han, the Hacı Mehdi Mescit (prayer room) and the Çifte Hamam (Turkish bath), which suffered the most damage in the bazaar, the Mustafa Paşa Mosque has been renovated with the support of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, or TİKA. These places are now among the most-visited in Skopje.
Reviving handicrafts
Writing about Skopje’s Turkish bazaar in one of his books, the Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi said the pleasant aromas in the center of the bazaar could be smelled from very far away.
“The Turkish bazaar was left to die because of political reasons before FYROM declared its independence. Artisans began to close their shops one by one and the bazaar lost its edge,” said Enver Abdi, a former jeweler of Turkish origin and the chairman of the Skopje Turkish Bazaar Artisans’ Union. “Now we have tried to revive handicrafts and new shops have opened.”
FYROM media outlets have published articles on the bazaar, which a group of German archaeologists said still retains the characteristics of the Ottoman architecture style.
During the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims from different ethnic groups in FYROM gather in the Turkish bazaar, first in its mosques and then in newly opened Turkish tea and coffee houses and other venues offering tastes from Turkish cuisine that draw customers until the late-night hours.
Credit: Hurriyet Daily News [August 14, 2011]