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The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world.
The Grand Bazaar's construction began in 1455/56 under Sultan Mehmed II to boost Istanbul’s economy. The Cevâhir Bedesten housed textile and jewelry trade, later joined by the Sandal Bedesten in 1545 for textiles. By the 17th century, it had become a major Mediterranean trade hub with 3,000 shops, 67 streets, and 18 gates.
Fires, earthquakes, and economic shifts led to its decline in the 19th century. The 1894 earthquake reduced its size, and the Sandal Bedesten became an auction house in 1914. Restorations in 1959 and 1980 preserved the Bazaar as a historic marketplace.
References:The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.