Selimiye Arasta

An arasta is a bazaar built next to a mosque to increase its income. Selimiye Arasta was built for this very purpose, during the reign of Sultan Murad III, to provide revenue for the Selimiye Mosque. It was designed by Davut Ağa, Mimar Sinan's apprentice, and is a long structure with 73 arches and a total of 124 shops on both sides. Evliya Çelebi referred to it as "Kavaflar Çarşısı" (Bazaar of Shoemakers) in his travelogue, meaning it was formerly a place where shoemakers and traditional slipper makers worked.

The Arasta is located directly beneath the Selimiye Mosque, connected by the mosque's courtyard and stairs. It appears as a natural route when exiting the mosque visit. If you are in Edirne city center, you can reach it in 10-15 minutes on foot from Üç Şerefeli Mosque and Eski Mosque. For those arriving by bus, it's easy to find a stop around Selimiye Square.

Between 09:00-10:30 AM is quieter for both the mosque and the arasta. On Fridays, during noon prayer time (approximately 11:30 AM-2:00 PM), the square and its surroundings become crowded, so it's advisable to avoid these hours. The afternoon light is also a preferred time for photography.

Edirne-specific products stand out on the shelves of the Arasta: deva-i misk dessert, cheese candy, rose oil cologne, and handmade soaps. Kavala cookies are a frequently recommended sweet in visitor comments. Some travelers state they couldn't find the same taste elsewhere. Shops bearing old merchant surnames like Keçecizade and Arslanzade are still in operation.

Some visitors have reported that a vendor at the entrance offered a necklace, saying "whatever your heart desires," and then demanded payment. It's advisable to be cautious with products presented as gifts and to ask for the price beforehand. The interior of the bazaar is warmer compared to other covered bazaars, according to some visitors; keep this in mind during summer months.

Shots taken from the entrance of the arched corridor nicely showcase the bazaar's vaulted architecture. The view looking down at the arasta from the Selimiye Mosque stairs also offers the opportunity to capture both the mosque and the bazaar in the same frame. The way the afternoon light falls on the arches is more suitable for photography.

Consider it a natural continuation of your Selimiye Mosque visit. After exploring the mosque's interior, courtyard, and tombs, descend to the arasta for a short shopping break. Afterwards, you can continue on foot to Üç Şerefeli Mosque or Eski Mosque. An Edirne city center tour usually covers these three stops in one day.

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