Istanbul is full of alluring attractions, more than half of which are historical sites and museums. Istanbul is full of museums and historical sites, and every one of them is a precious attraction with unique features. In the city of Istanbul, there are many museums and art galleries, including world-famous museums such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Kariye mosque, Archaeological Museum, and Dolma Baghche Palace. Pera Museum Istanbul is one of them. Keep reading to learn more about this striking Museum.
An Introduction of Pera Museum
Pera Museum was opened on June 8, 2005, to display the beauty of Turkey’s art and culture to its visitors. Pera museum’s location is in the old building of Bristol Hotel of Istanbul. This Museum started its renovation in 2003 to add the necessary facilities for a modern museum, including a modern entrance door. The final result is a building that combines modern elements with the old and traditional features of Turkey’s heritage and culture.
History of Pera Museum
Suna and Inan Kirac were two famous merchants with an interest in Turkey’s culture and history. They decided to buy Bristol hotel of Istanbul and build a museum within this building that used to be a hotel. After a renovation and some changes in the building, they opened Pera museum with the aim of showing the beauty of Turkish art and culture.
Pera Museum’s inauguration date was on June 8, 2005. There’s a precious collection of valuable works of art in Pera museum, which contain some of Turkey’s most famous artistic masterpieces. Some of the items were transferred from the personal collection of Suna and Inan Kirac to showcase in Pera museum.
Different parts of Pera Museum
Pera Museum has three distinct parts or areas. Three collections exhibited in Pera museum are categorized into periodical themes.
- The first collection of Pera museum is focused on orientalism. In this exhibition of Pera museum
- Pera museum’s second collection is devoted to Anatolian weights and measures. The exhibition was collected as part of the 2014 cultural program Turkey. Anatolian weights and measures of Pera museum are supposed to honor the 600th anniversary of Polish-Turkish diplomatic relations. Thousands of facilities and pieces of measurement tools that remained from the Anatolian period are on display in this part of the Museum.
- The third and last collection of Pera museum is focused on Kutahya tiles and ceramics. The collection consists of more than 800 outstanding pieces representing various periods of Turkey’s history, especially the 18th to 20th centuries. The limited number of pieces showcased at the Museum is supposed to give a general idea of the collection and show you the beauty of Kütahya ceramics and their outstanding designs.
Every year several exhibits and events are held in Pera museum that takes place for a short period, like film events. But the collections that we introduced are permanent.
Accessibility and timings of Pera Museum
- Location: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey.
- Timings:
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- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.
- Fridays from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays.
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To access the Pera Museum, you must first go to Esteghlal St. Public transportation is a proper choice. Then move down the street; when you get to the end of the street, turn right and enter Asmali Mesket St. turn to the right and pass Para Palace Istanbul Hotel when you see a crossroad. If you continue several steps in the same direction, the Pera Museum will reveal before your eyes.
Nearby facilities and attractions to Pera Museum
Some of Istanbul’s famous attractions are located near Pera museum, like Madame Tussauds Istanbul, the museum of innocence, Galata Bridge, and Dolmabahce palace. You can plan to visit Pera museum the same day you want to visit these attractions.
Final words about Pera museum
Pera museum is one of the most striking museums in Istanbul city. Bear in mind that Istanbul is a city with a rich history and numerous museums. But among this city’s various museums, Pera Museum tops the list of Istanbul’s museums. It is one of the places you can’t miss visiting on your trip to this magnificent city. We hope this article helps you see a small part of Pera museum’s charm.
