The Archaeological Museum in Istanbul is the most visited museum. It is located near the Topkapi Palace and consists of three parts, ie the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Orient and the Museum of Islamic Art. Sultan Abdul Aziz, at the time when the idea for an archaeological museum appeared, was fascinated by museums in European cities, in Paris and in Vienna and in London. During the 19th century, efforts were made to modernize the Ottoman Empire. Then the sultan came up with the idea that he wanted the same or similar archaeological museums in Istanbul.
The museum was founded in 1869, when a decision was made to establish the Imperial Museum, but the idea was rejected due to financial obstacles and the year of the museum's foundation was moved to 1891, when the museum was founded as the Imperial Museum. Its first founder was Osman Hamdi Bey. He was also the curator of the museum. The imperial decree on the protection of cultural assets in the Ottoman Empire was applied to the museum, which led to a number of governors sending artifacts. Thanks to that, the museum contains a very rich collection. For 100 years of its existence, the museum was honored with an award from the European Museum Council.
The current look of the building has elements of Greek art created in 1908. The architect who worked on the museum was Alexander Vallauri. The Museum of the Orient, as a part of the Archaeological Museum, was also founded by Osman Hamdi Beyza in the name of education in fine arts, and in 1953 it was turned into a museum. During its existence, the interior was renovated, in the period from 1963 to 1974. As for the third part of the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, it was opened in 1953. Until that year, it was called Kiosk Museum, the founder of which was Mehmed II the Conqueror (1472). It represents one of the oldest buildings in Istanbul in the style of Islamic architecture, and it was also part of the Topkapi Palace.
The museum contains over a million objects in its exhibition collection. Here you will see sculptures, paintings, objects, records from the archaic to the Roman era. The museum is also famous for having a large Alexander sarcophagus in its exhibition that was intended for Alexander the Great. The museum houses a library and treasury. Egyptian art is displayed, and it houses the world's oldest peace agreement signed between Egypt and the Hittites. There are also collections of objects from Anatolia and Mesopotamia.
Working hours
The Museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7. p.m
Ticket price for the Museum
Regular ticket price for adults 100 TL
Author of the text:
Maja Glavaš, Bachelor with Honours in Communicology. Works in Tourism.
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Photo by Tom Keldenich on Unsplash
