 The inn was raised by Prince Constantin Mavrocordat, who decided to have a "bezesten" (the word is Turkish, meaning "large, square building, hosting shops all around, like in marketplaces").These shops could only be rented by foreign merchants during the period they stayed in Bucharest doing business.The inn was also known during the 18th century as "Hanul Bezesten" ("Bezesten Inn"), because it resembles a Turkish "bezesten", boasting large shades covering almost the whole street on the sides.