Samanpazarı

About Samanpazarı

Samanpazarı is one of Ankara's oldest quarters, a web of streets running down from Ankara Castle in the Altındağ district, and the heart of the old town's traditional bazaar. The name means "straw market", and with its neighbours Atpazarı and Koyunpazarı it recalls the trading quarters that grew up below the citadel. The area is still organised by trade. The metropolitan municipality's plans for the historic commercial centre describe zones defined by their traditional crafts, covering Kaleönü, Samanpazarı, Saraçlar Çarşısı (the saddlers' bazaar), Bakırcılar Çarşısı (the coppersmiths' bazaar), Atpazarı and the historic hans and hamams, and the Ankara Tourism Master Plan lists Samanpazarı with the castle, Kaleiçi, Hamamönü and Suluhan as areas where the city's historic fabric survives. What to buy: the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Ankara guide describes Bakırcılar Çarşısı and its old shops as an authentic market selling carpets, kilims, clothing, antiques, jewellery and ornaments, old and new. Local shopping round-ups point to Samanpazarı for antiques, copperware and souvenirs, and to the coppersmiths' street for copper pieces and Turkish coffee sets, while visitor reviews of the castle describe old houses on the slopes converted into antique shops, craft workshops, copper shops and cafes. Atpazarı, at the approach to the castle, is known for spices and pulses. Practical notes: this is a working bazaar of small independent shops rather than a single building, so explore on foot and combine it with Ankara Castle, Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu, Suluhan and Hamamönü, all within walking distance.