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See also
How could a market in Egypt be responsible for the founding of the United States? Khan
el-Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now usually just
called the 'Khan', and the names of it and the Muski market are often used interchangeably to
mean either. Named for the great Caravansary, the market was built in 1382 by the Emir
Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of the Fatimid City. Together with the al-Muski market to the
west, they comprise one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. But more than that, they
represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major center of trade, and at the
Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Perhaps, this vary market was involved in the spice
monopoly controlled by the Mamluks, which encouraged the Europeans to search for new
routes to the East and led Columbus, indirectly, to discover the Americas. During its early
period, the market was also a center for subversive groups, often subject to raids before the
Sultan Ghawri rebuilt much of the area in the early 16th century. Regardless, it was trade
which caused Cairo's early wealth, even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a
settlement of traders.
Lots of colorful brass
This market is situated at one corner of a triangle of markets that go south to Bab Zuwayla
and west to Azbakiyyah. The Khan is bordered on the south by al-Azhar Street and on the
west by the Muski Market. One of the old original gates guards the entrance to the original
courtyard which lies midway down Sikkit al-Badistan (street). On a narrow street leading off
al-Badistand, one will find the El-Fishawi Cafe, or Cafe of Mirrors, which was once a meeting
place for local artists, and is still frequented by the Nobel Award winning Naguib Mahfouz,
one of Egypt's most well known authors. There are any number of canvas covered
streets such as the one pictured to the right.
Egyptian buyers generally shop in the area north of al-Badistan and to the west, where prices may be lower. Better deals for gold and silver are to be found west of the Khan along the "street of the goldsellers", and further on one will find the Brass and Coppersmith Markets.
A young girl hawking her family's shop
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