Kasapazar

Kasapazar is a Turkish toponym used to describe traditional market districts or neighborhoods in various towns and cities of Turkey that specialize in meat trade. The name combines kasap (butcher) and pazar (market). It is not a single administrative entity but a common local designation for historic market areas centered on butchery and related trades.

Geography and scope: Kasapazar areas appear in multiple locales across Anatolia, the Aegean and Marmara regions, and in larger urban centers. Each Kasapazar functions as a historic market quarter where meat processing, sale, and related goods have long been concentrated. The layout typically features narrow lanes and open stalls facing the street, with primary offerings including fresh meat, offal, and related products, alongside vegetables, dairy, spices, and prepared foods. Some Kasapazars have been modernized with covered market halls while preserving traditional street-level shopfronts and ambience.

History: The emergence of meat markets in Turkish towns dates to the late Ottoman period and continued into the early Republic era, when urban planning allocated space for guilds and seasonal markets. Kasapazar districts developed as focal points for butchers, traders, and customers, serving both economic and social functions within their communities.

Economy and culture: As local economic hubs, Kasapazar markets support supply chains for households and small businesses, often operating on daily or market-day rhythms. They function as social spaces where residents exchange news, recipes, and regional specialties, contributing to the cultural texture of their towns.

Note: Kasapazar is a generic toponym rather than a single, defined locality; specific markets are identified by their city or town names locally.