Museums Istanbul Turkey - Attractions

Do you think cartoons and caricatures are an unusual subject for a museum exhibition? Then do visit the Caricature And Humor Arts Museum during your stay in Istanbul. The vast collection of original caricatures, drawings, prints and photographic archives is exceptional, unlike anything you have ever seen before. They have also preserved various archives and documentation that are collected from around the world. An instresting fact about it is that the original site of the museum, in a Tepebasi building, was shut in 1980 and the museum was later re-opened in 1989 as the restored Gazanfer Agha school complex of Istanbul's Fatih district.

Situated on the shores of the Golden Horn, Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum collates and conserves the history of transport, industry and communications. The showcased collection includes expansive researches and also houses the industrial and engineering objects used across different timelines and various worldwide cities. Apart from enlightening visitors on these interesting facts, this place also boasts of a Museum Tearoom, Museum Shop, Barbarossa Pub, and Halat Restaurant, offering relaxation and entertainment to its visitors.

Making its debut in 2004, Istanbul Modern is Turkey's first museum dedicated to displaying contemporary art. Located on the Sea of Marmara, the museum is a 86,000 square foot renovated government warehouse that houses abstract paintings, portraits, sculptures and photographs from local artists and public and private collections. Istanbul Modern fuses Turkish and Western aesthetic influences to create a connection between Turkish and European institutions of art. Although the Turkish government has offered some assistance, the museum is privately funded by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts and the Eczacibasi family, who also provides the permanent collection. Attracting 5,000 visitors daily, one of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the "Stairway to Hell" by Monica Bonvicini in 2003, a sculpture featuring chains and bullet-shattered glass. Other exhibits feature work by Fahrelnissa Zeid and Seker Ahmet Pasa. Istanbul Modern wil l also offer art history programs for children and adults. Admission is free on Thursdays from 10a-2p, and discounts are offered for students and groups.

Topkapı Sarayı, on the Seraglio Peninsula, became a museum in 1924. The Harem, Baghdat Pavilion, Revan Pavilion, Sofa Pavilion, and Audience Chamber distinguish themselves with their architectural assets, while other artifacts on display reflect palace life. Gülhane Park is located on the slopes below the palace extending to the seashore, and is popular among Istanbul residents for picnicking and open-air concerts. In the park is the Gothic Column (courtesy of Claudius II), known to have been one of the main obelisks of the Byzantines. One of the most interesting parts of the palace is the Harem, so be sure to get here early to sign up for a complete tour of it.

A tour at the site of the original St. Savior in Chora Church, a 4th century church that was rebuild in the 11th century, but later converted into a mosque and now a museum, will give you a peak into the Turkish history and religion. The structure is famous for its well-preserved 14th century mosaics and frescoes that depicts scenes from the Old-New Testament. The building's unusual design consists of six domes, numerous windows and arches and reflects the beautiful nature of the Byzantine architecture. The beautiful interiors of the church is now open to the public as the Kariye Müzesi.

A veritable symphony of Occident and orient, Beyoğlu is the pulsating heartbeat of Istanbul’s day and nightlife. İstiklal Caddesi -- a paved thoroughfare perpetually swarming with Istanbul’s colorful hoi polloi -- is at the hub of the metropolis while a maze of narrow winding lanes filled with funky cafés, soulful bars, continental restaurants, historic cinemas, prominent theatres and exclusive shops shoot off in all directions around it. Taksim Square, featuring the impressive Monument to the Republic, leads the way into Beyoğlu’s bohemian open-air museum, past the Greek Orthodox Aya Triade Church and the French Consulate. A quaint old tramway carries passengers past the Rumeli Han, Çiçek Pasajı, Cite de Pera, Atlas Pasajı, Galatasaray Lisesi, and several elegant consulates. Every year the International Istanbul Film Festival, International Istanbul Music Festival, International Istanbul Theatre Festival and the International Istanbul Jazz Festival are held here and in nearby districts. Beyoğlu, which has been the traditional home of Istanbul's gay community, hosts various other annual events, including the Bosphorus Festival, Roxy Music Days, Aksanat Jazz Festival and the Blues Festival. The district is also home to the Beyoğlu Emek Movie Theatre, which hosts the annual Filmekimi Film Festival. See the website to find a list of upcoming festivals in the area.

Turkish handmade carpets and rugs are known worldwide for their rich colors, intricate designs and brilliant craftsmanship. They are the most sought-after items by collectors and museums. One place in Istanbul where you can learn about all the kinds and types is the Museum of Turkish Carpets, located across the Ibrahim Pasha Palace. They have an impressive display of antique carpets, kilims and rugs, some of them depict tribal art and designs. It's worth spending a few hours strolling through the display of Turkish arts and do not forget to buy some traditional pieces to take back home.

Originally a church, the Hagia Eirene (Holy Peace) Museum makes for a stunning concert venue. The museum also hosts a number of exhibits, but is best known for holding the İstanbul International Music Festival. Even without an event taking place, the historical value and timeless beauty makes this place well worth a visit.

This is one of the biggest museums in Turkey, with a collection of over 1 mil objects. It was founded in the 19th century, and it has over 200 000 visitors every year. If you`re a history lover visiting Turky, then this is a museum you should definitely visit. It`s current director is İsmail Karamut.

Dubbed the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans because of its beautiful interior ceiling tiles (famed Iznik tiles), this is the only mosque in the world with six minarets. Built by Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616, the architect was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, one of Mimar Sinan's most prominent students. The dome is 23.5 meters wide and 43 meters high. Inside, it's surprisingly small, though very detailed, and the city has installed a lovely wrought iron chandelier at the entrance, which seems to fit right in with the design of the mosque. The shrine near the mosque houses the tombs of Ahmet I and his wife Kosem Sultan. On the east side of the mosque is the Arasta, a bazaar filled with souvenir shops. The Hunkar Mansion at the north side is today's Carpet and Kilim Museum. N.B. The Blue Mosque is a working mosque, so non-worshiping tourists are not permitted to enter during prayer times, which occur 5 times daily for 30 minutes each.

Founded by Sakip Sabanci and managed by the Sakip Sabanci University , this private museum houses an extensive collection of Ottoman paintings, important documents and calligraphic works. It hosts various lectures, workshops and exhibitions from time to time and gained immense popularity with its display of Auguste Rodin and Pablo Picasso's works. The in-house restaurant , Müzedechanga , is popular for dishing out mouthwatering international delicacies. Open on all days except Mondays.

Cultural Istanbul has a new must see for anyone visiting this ancient city. The Pera Museum, endowed by the industrialist Rahmi Koc and his family, is a tresure trove of the wealthy family's inventory of culturally significant Tukish works. It certaintly accomplishes that task, featuring handwritten Ottoman-era books, Byzantine works, and a Republican era book collection. The crown jewel of the collection is the $3.5 million painting, "Turtle Trainer," by artist Osman Hamdi Bey, who has five other pieces on display at this Turkish museum.

Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress), located on the European side of the Bosphorus, was build by Sultan Mehmet II in 1942. The fort was built in preparation for the conquest of the then Constantinople and to block any possible attack coming from the Black sea. The fortress was strategically located opposite the Anadolu Hisari on the Asian side of the strait to halt the passage of foreign ships and to prevent any aid coming to the falling Byzantine empire. This beautiful piece of architecture was built in a very short span of just 4 months and 16 days and spreads across 16 acres of land. It includes a small tower, three main towers, watchtowers, a small mosque and a mini-amphitheater. After the extensive restoration work carried out in 1955, Rumelihisari was thrown open to the public as an open-air museum displaying the various weapons and canons that were used in the conquest.

Besides the Topkapi palace this is the second most beautiful place to visit in Istanbul. This monument has a long history which goes back to the pre-Ottoman era, when the city's name was Constantinople. In first place it was a church, then converted into a mosque and in the end in the era of Ataturk in Turkey it was converted into a museum.

The magnificent Ayasofya was originally built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, and it was used as a church for 916 years. It then became a mosque for 481 years, and Turkey's first President, Atatürk, declared it a museum in 1935. (It is no longer used as a place of worship, so you needn't be too concerned with your dress or the appropriateness of taking photos as you should be at some other religious landmarks in Istanbul, such as the Blue Mosque.) Considered the first and last unique application in terms of its architecture (it was built on a square base rather than the common rectangular one), magnificence and functionality, it has been the inspiration for Ottoman mosques for countless centuries. The incredible frescoes and mosaics in the upper gallery, despite being damaged, are among the most visited sites in the city. From 2007-2008, each and every gold tile piece of the ceiling wil l be restored to its former glory. Ayasofya is a number one must-see in Istanbul.