While western Turkey strives to follow international trends, the same cannot be said for the southeast—and that difference can be a strength. In the bustling city of Gaziantep, certain neighborhoods are dedicated to preserving traditional crafts. One such place is the local coppersmith bazaar, where I watched artisans at work for the first time.
Gaziantep Coppersmith Bazaar
Known in Turkish as the Gaziantep Bakırcılar Çarşısı, the narrow, cobbled lanes are lined with small coppersmith shops on both sides. Unlike Istanbul’s sprawling Grand Bazaar, this market is intimate in scale. Skylights in the roof bring warm natural light into the passageways, lending the workshops a timeless atmosphere.
Inside, artisans were busy cleaning, engraving and selling copperware. They paid little attention to me, apparently recognizing I was a tourist with a camera rather than a customer bringing pots for repair. Their focus remained on the steady stream of local buyers—many of them housewives making repeat purchases for their households.
What struck me was how calmly the shopkeepers worked. There was no hustling or loud calls to attract customers, which felt unusual compared with other Turkish bazaars where vendors often shout to draw attention. Instead, transactions were relaxed and unhurried, reinforcing the sense of tradition and community.
The bazaar is part of a local restoration and improvement effort supported by the municipal council. Copperworking in Gaziantep has a history spanning roughly five centuries, with skills traditionally passed from father to son. Aware that modern manufacturing and changing lifestyles have diminished this craft elsewhere, the community is taking steps to protect and promote it.
The market is included on Gaziantep’s official Culture Route and comprises some 280 participating shops. This designation helps attract visitors who value authentic craftsmanship and want to experience living traditions. Still, there is an awareness that the trade faces long-term challenges; whether it survives another century is uncertain, yet I hope these efforts will prove successful.
