Khan el-Khalili
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
