Serving booklovers since the 15th century, the Second-Hand Book Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars of Istanbul. Second-hand booksellers started operating within the Grand Bazaar which was built in 1460, then after the 1894 earthquake, they moved to their current location which was called Hakkaklar Bazaar back then. The bazaar, where old books and distinguished calligraphy works are traded, was destroyed during the fire that occurred on January 6th, 1950. After being re-built, the bazaar opened again on October 3rd, 1952. The bazaar had maintained its significance until the beginning of the 1980s.

Until the 1980 Coup, the Second-Hand Book Bazaar had lasted as a favorite spot for book-lovers, students, people who had limited budgets or had trouble finding certain books. As the bazaar was collapsing due to the banning of books in certain years, (it is no coincidence that) today there are very few second-hand booksellers in it.