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Dogan Mer poses inside his gift shop.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered markets in the world.
2016-01-15
With more than 3,000 shops taking up a total of 61 streets, it's a major tourist hub — it had more than 91 million visitors in 2014 alone, making it the number one tourist attraction in the world.
More than 26,000 people are employed at the bazaar, and many shops are family-owned.
Getty photographer Chris McGrath recently paid a visit to the market, taking portraits of the shopkeepers in front of the most elaborate storefronts he saw.
They were all packed to the brim with majestic items.
Hasan Ayazgok sells traditional ceramics.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Hasan Ramo sells traditional sweets and Turkish delights.
Chris McGrath/Getty
You'll find traditional ceramics at Huseyin Erdogan's stall.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Dogan Mert sells traditional Turkish gifts.
Chris McGrath/Getty
You can also find traditional Turkish gifts as Murat Demirci's shop.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Ekrem Turkmen sells traditional Ottoman clothing.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Taner Erguder sells Sufi and traditional paintings.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Serkan Almaz sells handmade backgammon sets and chessboards.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Mehmet Onlu has a selection of silver jewelry.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Ismail Genis sells traditional ceramics and handmade tiles.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Yasin Kizilkaya sells traditional rugs and fabrics.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Kenan Kalmaz has a colorful selection of traditional fabrics.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Adem Sad'c sells traditional rugs and fabrics.
Chris McGrath/Getty
You'll find handmade cottons and headscarves at Murat Hashas' stall.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Murat Akca sells traditional gifts.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Ahmet Tan sells pipes and musical instruments.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Huseyin Balci sells traditional bath towels and fabrics.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Burak Erdogan has a selection of cashmere clothing and fabric.
Chris McGrath/Getty
Timur Yildirim sells antiques.
Chris McGrath/Getty
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Sarah Jacobs is an associate visual features editor at Business Insider.She graduated from Emerson College, and her photography work can be found in Vice, Brooklyn Magazine, and Gothamist.
