Location: Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, Cairo

Built: in 1382

Built by: the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili

History: 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. 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 very 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 a trade which caused Cairo’s early wealth, even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a settlement of traders. 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 is 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 gold sellers, and further on one will find the Brass and Coppersmith Markets.