Arasta Bazaar, Sultanahmet Istanbul
Ivan Soenderholm 31 July 2005
Situated just besides
one of the most important symbols of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, the
Arasta Bazaar has a dignified location. The place also includes Istanbul Mosaic
Museum ( Great Palace Museum ) with ancient mosaics from the 6th century.
Most of the shops in the small bazaar are selling Oriental rugs and
textiles and the bazaar is absolutely worth visiting for both rug
collectors and tourists.
When I visited the bazaar in July I was
lucky to meet Seref Özen, Cocoon, in his Arasta
Bazaar shop. Later I visited his
second store nearby in Kücük Ayasofia Caddesi - in a four-floor building
with a outstanding view to the Blue Mosque from the roof terrace.
Seref
Özen is an internationally well known dealer
and an authority and lecturer on Central Asian textiles.
He has been collector for more
than 20 years and has done his passion to his profession as dealer and
textile designer the last
8 years.
There are other esteemed dealers in the bazaar - and I
should have visited them - but that must wait until I return. And there
will be another time - if any city is "CARPET CITY" it is
Istanbul.
