Any tourist or local looking to have their picture taken with an amazing panoramic view of Istanbul is sure to visit Büyük Valide Han, a historic covered bazaar located in the Fatih district of Istanbul.
The rooftop, which has been used as the set of numerous Turkish and Hollywood films, recently became a social media phenomenon among sightseers thanks to its breathtaking view of Istanbul.
However, historic preservation officials reported that the roof of the historic bazaar has been damaged, since people were taking photos while jumping on the domes structures on top of the building.
As a result, officials announced that they have locked the door which leads to the scenic rooftop and are not allowing anybody up. The roof of the centuries-old building will undergo restoration as soon as possible in order to protect the building's structural integrity.
Visitors who wanted to capture a picture of the unsurpassed Istanbul view used to make their way to the Büyük Valide Han's rooftop in exchange for TL 1 ($0.30). Often, people would pose for the cameras while jumping on the several domes scattered across the roof.
Due to its location, historic bazaar's rooftop allows visitors to see historic districts such as Galata, Karaköy, Eminönü and Üsküdar as well as several landmarks, including the Galata Tower, Yeni Mosque and the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, which connects the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.
After the Büyük Valide Han was built in the 17th century by Kösem Sultan, the covered bazaar soon became one of the commercial hubs of Istanbul.
