Istanbul’s wonderful museums
There is a treasure museum that must be visited in Istanbul. The best point to start museum tours will be around Sultanahmet.
FIRST STOP Hagia Sophia
We started our tour with Hagia Sophia, which, although it has evolved into a mosque, still finances its museum quality. It puts you in the atmosphere of history from the time you enter the Hagia Sophia, the most structure in Istanbul, and from its age. The mosque, which means “Holy Wisdom”, was the most important church for Christianity in the Byzantine period. Those living in Istanbul should visit this place a few times. In case of visiting the city, it does not apply to Hagia Sophia routes. You can take a rest from Hagia Sophia and go to the Basilica Cistern, just across it. The Basilica Cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 532, met the water needs of the palace and the region for a long time. It preserved this function for a while during the period of the Ottoman Empire, but it did not survive because it was not used later on. Along with Sarn Hagia Sophia, it was also one of the important places in the hell novel of the famous writer Dan Brown.
SARAY’S COLLECTIONS
Next is Topkap Palace. Topkap Palace, which served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for about 400 years, was turned into a museum in 1924 by Atatrk’s instruction. It is a very pleasant place to visit with a tour of the palace and its scenery. The rich collections in it should definitely be seen. Imperial Treasury, European Porcelains and Glasses, Copper and Tombak Kitchenware, Chinese and Japanese Porcelains, Gmler, Hırka-i Felicity and Sacred Relics, Istanbul Glass and Porcelains, Padiah Dresses, Padiah portraits and painting collection, Weapons are among the valuable collections exhibited in the museum. .
SKENDER LAHDN GRN
Going back in history, there is the Istanbul Archeology Museum. Very important finds are exhibited in the large museum, which came with Osman Hamdi Bey’s excavations and archeology studies. The Alexander Sarcophagus is one of the must-sees and one of the important ones in the museum. Alexander Sarcophagus One of the 18 sarcophagi found in the Sayda necropolis. Sidemara sarcophagus, Kade Bar Pact tablet, first poetry tablet, Hammurabi Laws tablet are also exhibited in the museum. The important works in the museum are innumerable. We highly recommend your visit.
The first museum of the Ottomans, Aya rini
The first church of Byzantium was not Hagia Sophia, but Hagia Rini. While the great Constantine was establishing the city, he had this church built. Aya Rini is the only church with an atrium that has survived from Byzantium. The Atrium is a courtyard with a portico in the middle of ancient Roman temples. The features of the worshiper that replaced his foot are full until today. Aya rini is also the first museum of the Ottoman Empire. It was also used as a weapon and loot store for many years. One of the Tophane mirs, Damat Ahmet Fethi Paa, the works that formed the first core of the Turkish museum in 1846, were exhibited here. In 1869, it was renamed as Mze-i Hmayn (Imperial Museum).
Toy museum and much more
There are also modern museums that are worth seeing in Istanbul. Istanbul Toy Store. You become a tank for your wealth to be a toy in the museum for the 1700’s. In the Sakp Sabanc Museum in Emirgan, it is possible to see many rare and unique works, including book arts and calligraphy collections. One of the museums in Istanbul is the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, Istanbul Maritime Museum, Rahmi Ko Museum and more are waiting to be visited in Istanbul.