The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Construction began in 1455, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Today, it encompasses 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. The market was designed with a series of 'bedestens' (domed masonry structures) used for storage and specialized trade. For centuries, it was the economic heart of the Ottoman Empire and a vital terminus for the Silk Road. The bazaar is organized by guilds; historically, specific streets were dedicated to specific trades, such as gold, leather, or carpets. Despite numerous fires and earthquakes over the centuries, the bazaar remains a vibrant, dizzying maze of commerce and a living monument to Ottoman history.