If you cannot stand the heat of Urfa, you will find solace in Urfa’s centuries old bazaars, which include eight covered passages and offers one of the largest market and one of the best-preserved bazaars in Turkey. Hot weather was the ultimate reason why the bazaars were built as the people of Urfa use the bazaars as a place for them to hang out during the summer. Unlike the grand bazaar of Istanbul, Urfa bazaars are free to browse with minimal hassle from pushy shopkeepers. Though, I could not dismiss the possibility of getting cheated when it comes to true quality of good alleged to have been made by skilled traditional craft.
In the time of the famous ‘Seyahatname’ of the 17th century traveller Evliya Çelebi, Urfa Bazaar had 400 shops selling every kind of products.
Those red-purplish-coloured thing hanging from the ceiling of the shops are hot peppers for which Urfa is known of. The locals call them Isot. For Malaysians who desire spicy and hot taste in every dish, Urfa food is the best cuisine Turkish could offer.
The other side of the street where I had a glass of fresh pomegranate juice. What’s with motorcycle parking in the middle of the road?
Entrance of Kapali Carsi – also known as Grand Bazaar
Dinner in the making. Cig kofte.
Cig Kofte served! The delicious meal I had in Urfa.
This is how the people of Urfa eat at the restaurant. Small wooden chair on a long table, on top of which, a basket of onions and knives are placed.
Back at Aslan’s Guesthouse, there was an engagement party for which I was invited. The ladies were separated with men, and the party was fun with singing and dancing.