Preserved records from Bitola, pertaining the period from the XVI-XIX century, mention many public buildings characteristic of Turkish construction, including the covered bazaar “Bezisten – Bedesten” with its 86 stores.
Built in the XV century, this covered bazaar is a donation of Begler-Bey of Rumelia, the Grand Vizier and the famous donor Kodzha Daut Pasha Uzuncarsili.
Due to frequent robbery and looting at the time, it was given a special attention in the construction of the covered market and was quite solid material was used.
Although often robbed and burnt Bezisten served as a kind of vault, where the money from taxes of Rumeli Province were kept.
Until the end of World War II, a covered market serves as a covered bazaar, where various goods and fabrics were sold.
Today Bezisten is active commercial facility (closed bazaar), in which exist many modern equipped shops which sell various goods and it is must see place, if you are planning to visit Bitola.
