Rare tourist leaves Istanbul without visiting its historically famous markets. Istanbul attracts visitors especially reigning in Eastern atmosphere. It typically purchase gifts and souvenirs for family and friends. One of the most famous local markets is the Egyptian market or Mysyr Charshysy. The Egyptian market is also known as the Spice Market. It is the second largest market after Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. It is built in the form of mirror-reverse the letter L and has six gates. The domes are covered with lead market.

The Egyptian market is behind the new mosque, made famous by its square with pigeons .  It is located on the edge of the shopping district, which opens to the Golden Horn .  This is the oldest market of the city of Istanbul .  Build it ordered the mother of Sultan Mehmed the Fourth in 1660 with the New Mosque .  He was assigned a specific function: to provide financing construction of a mosque .  According to legend, on the place of the existing market was called "Marco Envalos", and that was in the heyday of the Byzantine Empire .  He was named the Egyptian or mysyr as goods that are sold here, transported through Egypt, and the court comes from this country, unloaded their cargo near the market .  If you believe this version, the construction of the market was made with the proceeds of the tax in Cairo - Egypt's capital .  The name "The Egyptian market" appeared, especially in the popular lexicon, and only then it has received an official status .

The market has experienced two severe fires in 1691 and 1940, and he got a modern look after the administration of Istanbul restoration. However, despite all these fires, "the Egyptian market," retained its distinctive features.

Originally part of the market consisted of 86 stores, the so-called dukkanov in which you could buy textiles and medicines. At the moment, the market is located in about 105 shops and lounges. One part of the market - the two-storey. On the upper floors of the trading session held before the court which resolved strife between the people and traders. The area, which intercepted the two wings of the market - long and short, is the area of ​​prayer. This title she won for being a small balcony on the second floor reading prayers to bring good luck to traders.

Gathered in the Egyptian market stores selling spices and cotton. The market has its own unique smell. As soon as you enter it, you will meet these unique scents. The market stalls selling spices, you can buy bags of spices, ready-made, as well as in bulk. Some spices (cinnamon, for example) previously sold here is literally worth its weight in gold. No less spectacular action and have shops that sell dried fruits and nuts. They can be found all kinds of pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, figs, dried apricots, raisins and coconut.