Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Vast collection of beautiful artworks
- Three exciting museums for one entrance fee
Time required: 150 minutes
Phone: +90 212 527 2700
Web site: http://www.istanbularkeo...
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Tue - Sun: | 9am - 5pm |
| Mondays: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 10 TL |
| Children under 12: | Free |
Public transport:
- Tram Line T1: Gülhane stop
Address: Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu Sk, 34122 Istanbul
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: sdhaddow
Things you need to know:
- Istanbul Archaeology Museum is a world class museum right next to Topkapi Palace
- It is made up of three museums: (1) Archaeological Museum, (2) Museum of the Ancient Orient, (3) Museum of Islamic Art
- The collection includes more than one million objects and spans about 5000 years
- Osman Hamdi Bey established the museum in 1881 to prevent European archaeologists and treasure-hunters from taking away the countries historical finds
- The Museum of Archaeology exhibits Greek and Roman finds and that of early Istanbul civilizations. Highlights are the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Sarcophagus of the Crying Women
- The Museum of the Ancient Orient features finds of more ancient civilizations, such as the world's oldest written peace agreement, the 13th c. BC Kadesh Treaty between Ramesses II of Egypt and Hattusili III of the Hittite Empire
- The Museum of Islamic Art (Tiled Kiosk) shows off beautiful Islamic ceramics and tiles
What to do there:
- As the museum has an extensive collection we recommend visiting the highlights
- In the main building do not miss Alexander Sarcophagus, the gallery of statues (several rooms), sarcophagus of the Crying Women, Busts of Alexander, Zeus with many more old age funerary tombs
- The highlights of the Ancient Orient section include the Tablet archives, Arabic, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Anatolian art displays
- The tiled kiosk of the Museum of Islamic Art itself is beautiful with external mosaic tiling, and lovely inside architecture. It contains ceramics, chinaware objects and art spread over several rooms
Tips & Insights:
- Take a breather in the charming courtyard café where you can have tea and ice-cream alongside cats and broken tombstones
