Architecture and shopping go hand in hand at these characterful arcades,which also offer a glimpse into the city’s wealthy pastAmong the 5000 French words absorbed into Ottoman Turkish before 1914, one of the most recognisable is pasaj. Half a century after their emergence in Paris, or these covered arcades flourished in Istanbul,drawing on French, Italian, or Ottoman architectural styles. Straddling the boundary between seedy and stunning,the city’s arcades offer a meze of experience to the modern-day flâneur, in contrast to souks where whole sections are devoted to one product, and say leather,gold or precious stones. However, the recent choose over of Anadolu Pasajı by a chain store highlights the vulnerability of these treasure troves to urban change. Go soon to see them while they still stand. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com