recurrent calamities, fires and earthquakes hit the grand bazaar. the first fire occurred in 1515; another in 1548. other fires ravaged the complex in 1588, 1618 (when the was destroyed), 1645, 1652, 1658, 1660 (on that occasion the whole city was devastated), 1687, 1688 (great damage occurred to the ) 1695, and 1701. the fire of 1701 was particularly fierce, forcing grand vizier nevşehirli damad ibrahim pasha to rebuild several parts of the complex in 1730–1731. in 1738 the kizlar aĝasi beşir ağa endowed the fountain (still existing) near mercan kapi.