Safiye Sultan, wanting to distance herself from the intrigues of the harem and politics and to have her name associated with more noble causes, decides to build a grand complex in Istanbul known as a külliye. A külliye is a complex of buildings including a mosque along with facilities such as a bathhouse, school, soup kitchen, hospital, library, guesthouse, market, lodge, monastery, and retreat where various religious and economic activities could be conducted together, forming the center of social life.
Safiye Sultan believes that such a large complex would instill trust in allies and fear in enemies, serving as a symbol of her power in the palace, as such monumental structures are usually commissioned by influential figures such as sultans and grand viziers.
For the location of the külliye, Safiye Sultan desires a prominent spot in the city. However, during that time, Istanbul boasted significant structures in all prestigious areas.
After conducting research, it was decided that Eminönü, located at the entrance of the Golden Horn, the natural harbor connecting the east and west, would be the preferred location for the külliye. Eminönü has been the heart of trade for centuries and has been home to the Spice Bazaar, known as the Makron Envalos during the Byzantine era, situated almost in the same location.
Despite some topographical challenges, the architect Davut Aga managed to overcome them, and in 1597, the foundation of the Yeni Camii Külliyesi, which is the longest construction project in Ottoman history involving the efforts of three different architects, was laid. However, after some time of starting the construction, Sultan Murad III’s death led to a decline in the stature of Safiye Sultan, who was the patron of the külliye. When Sultan Ahmed I ascended to the throne in 1603, Safiye Sultan was sent back to the old palace, and the construction of the mosque was halted. With these changes in the throne, the construction of the mosque stopped until the reign of Sultan Mehmed IV.
By the year 1661, Hatice Turhan Sultan, the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV and a former regent of the Ottoman Empire, wanted to endow a külliye. After searching for suitable locations in the city, she decided to resume the construction of the unfinished Yeni Camii Külliyesi initiated by Safiye Sultan. Thus, in 1661, the construction of the mosque recommenced. The original design of the mosque was made by the chief architect Davut Aga, but after his death shortly after the start of construction, Ahmet Aga took over as the chief architect. However, with the death of the Sultan, the construction halted again, and after 63 years, architect Mustafa Aga was assigned to continue the construction of the külliye.
Due to its location facilitating maritime trade with many countries, specific areas in Istanbul were designated for trading places where goods brought by ships could be sold without being too far from the sea. This is why Eminönü and its surroundings have been the trade center of Istanbul since the Byzantine era. Consequently, Hatice Turhan Sultan made alterations to the külliye plan, removing the medrese from the külliye plan and adding the Arasta instead.
The Arasta, added to the plan by the order of Hatice Turhan Sultan, constitutes the second most important part of the külliye after the mosque. The Arasta, particularly the group of shops, was mainly constructed to generate income for the Yeni Camii külliye. However, in the Ottoman era, these shops were not always built alongside mosques; previously built or later constructed shops could also be donated to the waqf.
Covering an area of 6000 m², the newly built bazaar, also known as Arasta, was opened with a ceremony in 1663-1664 and was immediately named the “New Bazaar” or “Valide Bazaar.” However, due to the majority of goods sold in the bazaar being spices and goods from Egypt, it began to be referred to as the “Egyptian Bazaar” from the mid-18th century onwards. The reason for the Egyptian Bazaar’s name being more commonly known today is that foreign travelers also referred to it as the “Egyptian Bazaar” in their travelogues.
The Egyptian Bazaar had undergone two major fires in its history. Although the fire on March 8, 1688, was not too significant, the wooden shops outside the walls of the bazaar (Tahmis Street) were damaged. However, the fire that broke out in January 1691 and lasted for two days nearly completely destroyed the Egyptian Bazaar.
In 1941, a road was built through the courtyard of the Yeni Camii, separating the Egyptian Bazaar from the mosque. Between 1940 and 1943, the Egyptian Bazaar underwent comprehensive restoration by the Istanbul Municipality. However, as a result of this restoration, the originality of the structure in terms of shop layout and usage area was lost. Today, this bazaar, where all kinds of spices, Turkish delight, and souvenir items are sold, is one of the most visited places by tourists due to its historical structure and the interesting presentation of unique products.