18. Bezesteni (Fabric Market)

At the intersection of Eleftheriou Venizelou and Dionysiou Solomou streets lies another landmark Ottoman-period monument of Thessaloniki: the Bezesteni. Built in the 15th century, it has functioned as a covered market for over six centuries.

Thessaloniki’s Bezestini market was not the only such market built during this period of the Ottoman Empire. In the 15th and 16th centuries, all the important cities of the empire featured these closed markets around which the commercial activity of the city developed. 

Its name comes from the Turkish word "bez", meaning "cloth", reflecting its origin as a textile market. It gradually evolved into a venue for high-value goods, becoming the commercial hubs of Ottoman cities and sharing specific architectural features, characterised by vaulted roofs and anywhere from 4 to as many as 20 domes. One of only three still standing in Greece, Thessaloniki’s Bezesteni has six lead-covered domes and four main entrances. 

Travellers of the 16th century described it as the most beautiful market in the Balkans, housing a variety of trades, particularly cloth merchants and jewellers. It was also a centre of trade for gold, gems and other precious goods and served as a place to store valuables and important documents, effectively operating as an informal stock exchange.

Goods were inspected for quality and the value of gemstones and currency was determined here. The market flourished until the Great Fire of 1917, after which it declined, but it never ceased to operate as a commercial arcade. Today, the Bezesteni still houses fabric stores, florists and jewellery shops. The upper floor also hosts artistic and photographic events, adding a contemporary touch to this historic building.

During the restoration of the Bezesteni after the Great Fire of 1917, engravings made with a sharp tool were discovered on some of the domes. There are 21 engravings in all – five in Greek and twelve in foreign languages. Their origin remains unknown, but they were likely made in the 19th century by craftsmen who climbed onto the roof for repairs. 

The engravings include names, dates, symbols and designs that capture aspects of daily life, trade and social relations of the time. They are seen as a dialogue – or perhaps a juxtaposition – between different ethnic and religious groups, including Turks, Greeks, Jews and others.