Istanbul Archeological Museums are among the most underrated museums in Turkey and Istanbul city. They combine three museums: the Archeological Museum, the Ancient Oriental Artifacts Works Museum, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. The Archeological Museums are the oldest in Istanbul, showcasing over one million artefacts from various cultures and civilizations.
History of Istanbul Archeological Museums
Mehmet, the conqueror, collected several historical artefacts from the Ottoman Empire. In 1869, under the leadership of Osman Hemdi Bey, a museum was built to showcase this collection. This museum was called the “Imperial Museum” and was located in the Hagia Irene Church, as it didn’t have a building for itself.
Osman Hemdi Bey was an archeologist and a painter who took responsibility for operating the Imperial Museum from the beginning of 1887. The Istanbul Archeological Museum building was designed by the famous architect Osman Hemdi, who then took responsibility for the leadership of that museum.
As the years passed, the other two Istanbul archeological museums were built. The tiled kiosk museum was inaugurated in 1881, and the museum of ancient oriental works started its work in 1883.
The architecture of Istanbul Archeological Museums
Istanbul Archeological Museum is a two-floor museum built by Osman Hemdi Bey and reconstructed for the first time in 1908. Its traditional design takes visitors back to the Ottoman Empire. The main building belongs to the Archeological Museum, which was the Imperial Museum before the merger of the three museums.
Roman and Greek styles inspire the architecture of the Istanbul Archeological Museum’s main building. Some parts of this museum date back to 1472. Just the building itself is considered a historic site and worth visiting. Now add the over one million artefacts showcased in this museum.
Istanbul’s archeological museums are among the most fascinating museums in the city. The Museum of Istanbul is one of the most fascinating museums in the country, and it will inform you all about the history and culture of this country.
Istanbul Archeological Museums – Archaeological Museum
As we mentioned earlier, the Archeological Museum of Istanbul archeological museums is the oldest building of this museum complex, and all the other buildings were constructed around this museum. Despite the valuable collection of ancient artefacts showcased in this museum, the architecture of this museum is unique and considered a whole attraction for itself. Many visitors fall in love with the architect of this museum more than they will be amazed by its artefacts.
Istanbul’s archeological museums showcase over one million artefacts, most dating back to prehistoric times in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The museum has a great collection of inscriptions written in the cuneiform script or other ancient languages, statues, columns, etc.
Istanbul Archeological Museums – Ancient Oriental Artifacts Works
The Ancient Oriental Artifacts Museum of Istanbul Archeological Museums houses the world’s oldest love poem and peace treaty. As you enter the museum complex, you will see this part of the museum on the left. Most of the showcased artefacts in this part belong to pre-Islamic times before the expanse of the Ottoman Empire.
This is one of the museum’s most prominent areas, exhibiting some of its most precious artefacts.
Istanbul Archeological Museums – Tiled Kiosk Museum
The last building in the Istanbul Archeological Museum is a pavilion built in 1472 by the order of Mehmet the Conqueror. The museum also displays tiles and ceramics from Ottoman, Seljuk, and Anatolian civilizations. Some of these pieces date back to the 12th century, and some of the most recent ones are from the late 20th century.
This museum displays Iznik tiles, once the most precious and unique in the world. This part of the museum is smaller than the other two archeological museums in Istanbul.
Istanbul Archeological Museum’s most valuable artefacts
We mentioned the oldest love poem and treaty in the world earlier. Some other precious items worth visiting in Istanbul archeological museums are the Alexander sarcophagus, an ancient coffin covered with scenes from Alexander the Great, and one of the largest sarcophaguses in this museum. This fantastic item dates back to 400 BC and can be found in the Archeology Museum of Istanbul.
Another fascinating artefact is the exhibition on Istanbul through the ages. This magnificent collection of artefacts showcased in the archeology museum, part of the Istanbul archeology museum, gives an overview of the history of Istanbul city. As you walk into this gallery and visit its items, you will get a glance at Turkey and Istanbul’s expanse throughout the centuries.
Accessibility and timings of Istanbul Archeological Museums
To reach the Istanbul archeological museums, you must first go to the Sultanahmet neighborhood and then the Eminonu region of Istanbul.
The easiest way to this museum complex is to take a tram to Gulhane station. It’s a short walk from the station to the museum.
- Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.
- Timings: Every day from 9 am to 7 pm.
Nearby attractions to Istanbul Archeological Museums
Istanbul’s archeological museum is located within Gulhane Park, one of Istanbul’s most charming attractions. Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque (AKA the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) are close attractions to Istanbul’s archeological museums. You can plan to visit these places the same day you visit this museum.
Final words about Istanbul Archeological Museums
Istanbul Archeological Museums are the oldest museums in Istanbul. They showcase millions of artefacts and items from Assyrian, Byzantine, Hittite, Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and Egyptian civilizations. Make sure you visit these striking museums on your trip to Istanbul to get an overview of this wonderful city’s rich history and culture.
