All these pictures were taken at the Gümrük Hanı or Customs Depot. It was built by Behram Paşa in 1562 during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. It is a very pleasant place to drink tea or other beverages and relax. Though one floor up relaxation if not the rule but the exception: scores of often young workers, some of them lucky enough to work outdoors on the galleries, some in small hot rooms, are hard at work producing all sorts of garments, or ironing the final product.

At one and a half side of the han there are groups of men seated, selling jewellery, watches, that sort of bric-à-brac.