Khan Al-Khalili: From a Mamluk market to a global landmark
In his paper, "Khan Al-Khalili: From a Mamluk Market to a Tourist Attraction," Dr Yahya Muhammad Mahmoud reviewed the historical trajectory of this ancient landmark, emphasizing its vital role in the transmission of cultural influences since the 14th century AD. He explained that the market maintained its architectural and functional character before gradually transforming into a global tourist destination that blends the charm of history with the spirit of contemporary life.
The researcher discussed the documentary value of the khan in Orientalist paintings, particularly the painting by the artist Hecke, which documented the details of the market and its historical gate. He pointed out that the khan represented an early model of what resembles a modern shopping mall, where local and international goods were concentrated.
Dr Yahya Muhammad Mahmoud also highlighted the emotional and social dimension of the area, noting that the khan remained a destination for leaders, intellectuals, and tourists. He emphasised that it represents an integrated cultural unit, allowing visitors to experience successive centuries of history in a single space that combines shopping, traditional cafes, and historical baths.
Portuguese mercantilism: control through monopoly
For his part, Dr Adrian de Man presented a paper entitled “Markets and Mercantilism during the Portuguese Presence,” in which he discussed the nature of the trade system in the Gulf during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. He explained that the Portuguese did not establish an entirely new system, but rather sought to control the existing one through a mercantilist approach based on monopoly and tax collection.
Dr Adrian de Man pointed to the implementation of the Cartaz system, which imposed paid sailing permits, in addition to the establishment of customs centres to regulate ship traffic. He also explained that the limited manpower led to reliance on mercenaries from India and Africa, which contributed to administrative imbalances and the spread of corruption due to the short tenures of leaders.
De Man emphasised that understanding this period requires reading history from the perspective of the daily lives of merchants, pearl divers, and local communities, stressing that heritage is a contemporary reading of the past that serves the present.
Balkan markets: endowments shape the city
For his part, Dr Masoud Idris, in his paper "Popular Markets in Macedonia: From their Beginnings to their Current State," reviewed the origins of markets in the Balkans, explaining that the Ottoman endowment system contributed to transforming villages into integrated cities since the fifteenth century.
Dr Masoud Idris noted that historical city centers like Skopje and Sarajevo still retain their endowment identity, where public fountains, caravanserais, and covered markets ("bezistan") stand side by side. He explained that the caravanserais were strategic centers serving merchants, while some heritage sites have been transformed into museums and art galleries.
Dr Masoud Idris emphasised that the open and closed markets in the Balkans still thrive on traditional crafts such as copperware, textiles, and shoes, stressing that they are social spaces reflecting the spirit of hospitality and cultural identity.
Markets: spaces for human interaction
The symposium featured presentations that discussed the significance of historical terminology, connecting international experiences with local realities, and recalling the history of the Khan area in Sharjah as a rest stop for travelers in the past.
Participants affirmed that traditional markets were not merely places for buying and selling, but rather, throughout history, have formed centres for human and cultural interaction, contributing to the shaping of the cultural identity of Egyptian, Gulf, and Balkan societies, remaining a living testament to the enduring "radiance of authenticity."
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