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The Istanbul Archaeology Museums (İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri) are a collection of three archaeological museums in Istanbul, Turkey.

Gate to the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Gate to the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

 

Introduction to the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums include finds from archaeological sites all over Turkey and lands once occupied by the Ottoman Empire. If you’re visiting Turkey and can’t make it to some of the wonderful archaeological sites around the country, this is an excellent place to visit. It’s also worth visiting before or after seeing the archaeological sites in person because it brings things full circle and allows you to understand more about each site. The museum campus is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

This post consists mostly of photos and very little information. On my last visit to the museum in May 2022, I was leading a tour group and had to move through fairly quickly. Also, many galleries were still under renovation and not yet open to the public. On a future visit, I’ll be able to take my time.

Next time I have a chance to visit, I’ll rewrite this post to include more useful information on each gallery and the artifacts presented. Hopefully everything will be open by then as well. For the time being, there will be only this somewhat disorganized post with photos in random order.


 

History of the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums can trace their origin to the Imperial Museum (Müze-i Hümayun), which was established in 1869 by Sultan Abdülaziz. It was located at Hagia Eirine and was the first official museum of the Ottoman Empire. The collection moved to the Tiled Kiosk (Çinili Köşk) between 1875 and 1891.

On September 4, 1881, Ottoman archaeologist and painter Osman Hamdi Bey (1842-1910) was named the first curator of the museum. He got to work quickly developing the museum, rewriting the country’s antiquity laws, and creating nationally sponsored archaeological expeditions.

Bust of Osman Hamdi Bey
Bust of Osman Hamdi Bey

Over the years museum eventually went on to sponsor several more archaeological excavations and acquire artifacts to greatly expand the collection.

Osman Hamdi Bey exhibit

 

Visiting the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Admission to the Istanbul Archaeology Museums is €15 for foreigners (as of August 2024), and an audioguide is available for an extra fee. The museum campus is located between Gülhane Park and Topkapi Palace, and sits within what was once the grounds of the palace. The museums are open daily. Check the official website for more info.


 

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

The Istanbul Archaeology Museum is housed in the main building on the museum campus. Due to lack of space in the Tiled Kiosk, in 1881 construction on a new purpose-built museum began under Osman Hamdi Bey.

Main building at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Istanbul Archaeology Museum

The building was designed by Ottoman French architect Alexander Vallaury (1850-1921) and is one of the finest examples of Neoclassical architecture in the city. The design was inspired by the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women, which are both on display inside. The official opening of the new museum building was held on June 13th, 1891. The north and south wings were added in 1903 and 1907.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul Archaeology Museum

On the pediment above the entrance to the building is an inscription in Ottoman Turkish that translates to Museum of Antiquities (Asar-ı Atika Müzesi). The tughra on the inscription belongs to Abdülhamid II, who was the sultan at the time it was built.

Inscription and tughra on the pediment of the main building at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Inscription and tughra on the pediment of the main building

 

Exterior Exhibition

Just outside the building are rows of sarcophagi. They date to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.

Row of porphyry sarcophagi used by Byzantine emperors
Row of porphyry sarcophagi used by Byzantine emperors
Sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
Sarcophagus at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagus
Byzantine sarcophagus
Byzantine sarcophagus


 

Roman Period Galleries

Once inside the museum, visitors are directed to the ground floor of the south wing. The galleries display findings from the Roman period.

South wing of the ground floor at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
South wing of the ground floor
Hellenistic findings
Hellenistic findings
Head of a woman; marble; early Roman period; copy of a 5th century original; Tralles (Aydın)
Head of a woman; marble; early Roman period; copy of a 5th century original; Tralles (Aydın)
Votive stele dedicated to Poseidon and Heracles; marble; late 4th century BC; Thasos, Greece
Votive stele dedicated to Poseidon and Heracles; marble; late 4th century BC; Thasos, Greece
Crown; gold; 4th-3rd centuries BC; Yaka (Çarşamba, Samsun)
Crown; gold; 4th-3rd centuries BC; Yaka (Çarşamba, Samsun)
Statues at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statues
Statues at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statues
Statue head
Head
Statue heads at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Heads
Oceanus the River God; marble; early 2nd century; Ephesus
Oceanus the River God; marble; early 2nd century; Ephesus
Emperor Nero at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Emperor Nero
Statue of a Roman emperor at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statue of a Roman emperor
Zeus Ammon; marble; 2nd century (copy of a 4th century BC original); Pergamon (Bergama)
Zeus Ammon; marble; 2nd century (copy of a 4th century BC original); Pergamon (Bergama)
Statues at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statues
Erotes cockfighting; marble; 2nd century; Tarsus
Erotes cockfighting; marble; 2nd century; Tarsus
Statue of Tyche; marble; 2nd century; Prusias ad Hypium (Düzce)
Statue of Tyche; marble; 2nd century; Prusias ad Hypium (Düzce)
Statues at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statues
Emperor Marcus Aurelius; marble; 161-180; Antalya
Emperor Marcus Aurelius; marble; 161-180; Antalya
Relief of a Thracian horseman; marble; early 1st century; Thessaloniki, Greece
Relief of a Thracian horseman; marble; early 1st century; Thessaloniki, Greece

 

Troy Exhibit at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum

The Troy exhibit at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum is on the first floor of the south wing extension. It includes findings from the ancient city of Troy.

Layers of Troy at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Layers of Troy
Artifacts made of terracotta and bone at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Artifacts made of terracotta and bone
Terracotta findings from the early Bronze Age at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Terracotta findings from the early Bronze Age
Terracotta findings from the early Bronze Age at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Terracotta findings from the early Bronze Age
Stemmed bowl; terracotta; 8th century BC; Troy VIII at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Stemmed bowl; terracotta; 8th century BC; Troy VIII
Beak spouted jug; terracotta; early Bronze Age; Troy III at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Beak spouted jug; terracotta; early Bronze Age; Troy III
Findings from Troy IX-X at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Findings from Troy IX-X
Findings from Troy IX-X at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Findings from Troy IX-X
Findings from Troy
Findings from Troy
Information about Troy
Information about Troy


 

Archaeology 101

At the end of the exhibit is an excellent mock archaeological excavation with an example of a lab. It allows visitors to understand the painstaking process taken to unearth artifacts found in museums.

Example of an archaeological excavation
Example of an archaeological excavation
Example of an archaeology lab
Example of an archaeology lab
Archaeological terminology
Archaeological terminology
Studying a burial site
Studying a burial site

 

Hellenistic Period Galleries

The first floor of the south wing situated in the main building contains finds from the Hellenistic period. The artifacts come from several different cities in Anatolia and Greece.

Mycenaeans at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Mycenaeans
Mycenaean pottery at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Mycenaean pottery
Hellenistic artifacts
Hellenistic artifacts
Klazomenian sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Klazomenian sarcophagi
Architectural terracotta elements of Larisa at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Architectural terracotta elements of Larisa
Architectural terracotta elements of Larisa
Architectural terracotta elements of Larisa
Acropolis of Larisa
Acropolis of Larisa
Archaic period trade and Corinthian ceramics at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Archaic period trade and Corinthian ceramics
Attic black figure ceramics
Attic black figure ceramics
Orientalizing style pottery at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Orientalizing style pottery
Hydria; terracotta; 5th-4th century BC; Rhodes, Greece at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Hydria; terracotta; 5th-4th century BC; Rhodes, Greece
Pottery at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Pottery
Votives at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Votives
Bronze works at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Bronze works
Bronze works at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Pottery
Pottery
Pottery


 

Jewelry Exhibit

On the north wing of the first floor situated in the main building is a gallery displaying jewelry from the Hellenistic through the Byzantine periods.

Ornaments and statuettes; ivory and gold; 7th-6th century BC; Ephesus
Ornaments and statuettes; ivory and gold; 7th-6th century BC; Ephesus
Crown and dog-headed spear appliqués; gold; mid-3rd century BC; Pergamon (Bergama)
Crown and dog-headed spear appliqués; gold; mid-3rd century BC; Pergamon (Bergama)
Jewelry from various ancient cities at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Jewelry from various ancient cities
1st and 2nd century jewelry from various ancient cities at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
1st and 2nd century jewelry from various ancient cities
Silver tray from Aleppo, Syria, 6th century (left); silver bowl from Lampsakos, 7th century (left center); and silver fan from Aleppo, 6th century (center)
Silver tray from Aleppo, Syria, 6th century (left); silver bowl from Lampsakos, 7th century (left center); and silver fan from Aleppo, 6th century (center)
Byzantine period jewelry from various ancient cities
Byzantine period jewelry from various ancient cities
Necklaces, earrings, and strings of beads; gold; 5th-4th century BC; Sardis
Necklaces, earrings, and strings of beads; gold; 5th-4th century BC; Sardis

 

Numismatic Collection

The final gallery open on the first floor is just past the jewelry exhibit. It includes Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman coins. The extension of the north wing was closed to visitors.

Coins at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Coins
Greek coins at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Greek coins
Byzantine coins at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Byzantine coins


 

Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum

The north wing of the ground floor contains the sarcophagi, which are the most spectacular items at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. I’ll start below with some of the most important finds and finish with general photos of the exhibit.

Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagi

 

Sidon Necropolis

The finds from the Sidon Necropolis are the most important artifacts on display at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. The sarcophagi were discovered in 1887 by Osman Hamdi Bey and his partner, Ottoman Armenian sculptor Yervant Voskan (1855-1914). Voskan was in charge of restorations.

Finds from the Sidon Necropolis
Finds from the Sidon Necropolis

 

Alexander Sarcophagus

The Alexander Sarcophagus, which is the most famous artifact in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, was one of those important discoveries in Sidon. It dates back to the late 4th century BC, specifically between 312 and 307 BC, and is in excellent condition. The sarcophagus is decorated with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great along with historical and mythological scenes.

Alexander Sarcophagus; marble; 312-307 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Alexander Sarcophagus; marble; 312-307 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

It’s unknown who was buried in the Alexander Sarcophagus but it may have belonged to Abdalonymus (d. 311 BC), a gardener of royal descent who was made King of Sidon by Alexander the Great in 332 BC.

Alexander Sarcophagus; marble; 312-307 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)
Alexander Sarcophagus; marble; 312-307 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

The Alexander Sarcophagus was made of Pentelic marble and originally painted in bright colors. Some of the faded colors can still be seen.

Faded colors on the Alexander Sarcophagus at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Faded colors on the Alexander Sarcophagus

 

Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women

The Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women is another interesting find from the Sidon Necropolis. It features the depictions of 18 women crying for the deceased inside. The sarcophagus was most likely imported from Greece and is dated somewhere between 350 BC and 320 BC.

Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women; marble; c. 350 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women; marble; c. 350 BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

 

Lycian Sarcophagus

The Lycian sarcophagus resembles the shape of Lycian tombs. It was made of Parian marble and dates between 430 BC and 420 BC. The sarcophagus is decorated with reliefs depicting a boar hunt and lion hunt on the sides, and fighting centaurs and sphinxes on the ends. It was the lowest tomb in the Sidon Necropolis.

Lycian sarcophagus; marble; late 5th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Lycian sarcophagus; marble; late 5th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)
Lycian sarcophagus; marble; late 5th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Lycian sarcophagus; marble; late 5th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)


 

Tabnit Sarcophagus

The Tabnit sarcophagus is one of the most intriguing finds from the Sidon Necropolis. It was discovered in 1887 by American Presbyterian minister William King Eddy. Osman Hamdi Bey beat the British Museum to the site and completed the excavation. The sarcophagus contains two separate and unrelated inscriptions – one in Egyptian hieroglyphics and one in Phoenician script. The Phoenician inscription contains a curse for those who open the tomb, promising impotency and loss of an afterlife.

Tabnit's sarcophagus; diorite; 6th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)
Tabnit’s sarcophagus; diorite; 6th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

The Tabnit sarcophagus, which was made in the 6th century BC, belonged to Tabnit, the Phoenician King of Sidon. When the sarcophagus was opened, his body was found in near perfect condition, except for his face and neck, floating in the original embalming fluid. Osman Hamdi Bey’s team spilled out all the fluid and left the body to rot in the sun. It quickly decomposed to a pile of bones and dried organs.

Mummy of Tabnit, King of Sidon; 6th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)
Mummy of Tabnit, King of Sidon; 6th century BC; Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

 

More Artifacts

The following are photos of the rest of the sarcophagi, grave stelae, and other items in this exhibit at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum:

Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagi
Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagi
Sarcophagus; marble; first half of the 2nd century; Thessaloniki, Greece at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagus; marble; first half of the 2nd century; Thessaloniki, Greece
Fragments of a sarcophagus; marble; 2nd century; Crete, Greece
Fragments of a sarcophagus; marble; 2nd century; Crete, Greece
Side view of the Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya)
Side view of the Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya)
Side view of the Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya)
Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya)
Sidamara Type Sarcophagus belonging to Claudia Antonina Sabina; marble; 2nd century; Sardis
Sidamara Type Sarcophagus belonging to Claudia Antonina Sabina; marble; 2nd century; Sardis
Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sidamara Sarcophagus; marble; mid-3rd century; Ambararası (Konya)
Finds from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın)
Finds from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın)
Finds from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın)
Finds from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın)
Mosaic floor from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Mosaic floor from Magnesia ad Meandrum (Söke, Aydın)
Grave stele of Matrodoros and Calligeiton; marble; 1st century BC; Fatih, Istanbul
Grave stele of Matrodoros and Calligeiton; marble; 1st century BC; Fatih, Istanbul
Grave stelae
Grave stelae
Sarcophagus with depiction of Phaedra-Hyppolite; marble; late 2nd century; Tripoli, Lebanon
Sarcophagus with depiction of Phaedra-Hyppolite; marble; late 2nd century; Tripoli, Lebanon
Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagi
Sarcophagi at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarcophagi


 

Galleries Temporarily Closed to Visitors

Some of the galleries were closed to visitors on my latest visit in May 2022. Fortunately, I was able to see them on my first visit to the museum in February 2011. They include the Assos Exhibition Hall and the Byzantium Exhibition Hall. Those galleries were in the process of being moved to the new building annex. I hope to see the improved exhibits on a future visit as they include some of the most important artifacts in the museum’s collection.

Pediment and columns of a temple from Assos at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Pediment and columns of a temple from Assos
Mosaic from Palestine
Mosaic from Palestine
Painting on a tomb from Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Painting on a tomb from Sidon (Saida, Lebanon)

 

Byzantine Artifacts

Artifacts from Byzantine Constantinople shed light on the history of the city. They include reliefs, inscriptions, icons, mosaics, and other items.

Palaiologos seal at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Palaiologos seal
Fresco from a Byzantine church in Constantinople at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Fresco from a Byzantine church in Constantinople
Relief icon from a Byzantine church; marble; 11th century; Kadırga, Istanbul
Relief icon from a Byzantine church; marble; 11th century; Kadırga, Istanbul
Hellenistic period tombstones found in Istanbul at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Hellenistic period tombstones found in Istanbul
Relief found in Istanbul
Relief found in Istanbul
Byzantine inscription at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Byzantine inscription
Mosaic panel from a Byzantine church in Constantinople
Mosaic panel from a Byzantine church in Constantinople
Crosses and items made of bone and glass from the Byzantine period
Crosses and items made of bone and glass from the Byzantine period
Bell from the Galata Tower; Byzantine; 14th century at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Bell from the Galata Tower; Byzantine; 14th century

 

Renderings of Constantinople

One room included renderings of what Constantinople looked like during the Byzantine period, as well as how some of the important monuments may have looked.

Byzantine Constantinople at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Byzantine Constantinople
Hippodrome and Great Palace
Hippodrome and Great Palace
Area around Hagia Sophia
Area around Hagia Sophia
Bucoleon Palace at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Bucoleon Palace
Palace of the Porphyrogenitus at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
Delphax (Tribunal) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Delphax (Tribunal)
Mosaic floor under the peristyle of the Great Palace
Mosaic floor under the peristyle of the Great Palace
Statue of Emperor Constantine from the Forum of Constantine (Çemberlitaş) at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Statue of Emperor Constantine from the Forum of Constantine (Çemberlitaş)
Equestrian statue of Emperor Justinian from the Column of Justinian in the Augustaion
Equestrian statue of Emperor Justinian from the Column of Justinian in the Augustaion


 

Museum of the Ancient Orient

The Museum of the Ancient Orient (Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi) is one of the museums at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. It’s located just inside the entrance to the complex. (Note: the museum was being renovated at the time of my last visit in May 2022. All of the photos of the artifacts are from a visit in February 2011.)

Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Museum of the Ancient Orient

The building housing the Museum of the Ancient Orient was constructed as the College of Fine Arts (Sanâyi-i Nefîse Mektebi) in 1883. It was commissioned by Osman Hamdi Bey. The building was reorganized as a museum in 1935 and closed in 1963 for restoration works. It reopened to the public in 1974.

 

Collection of the Museum of the Ancient Orient

The collection of the museum focuses on ancient Anatolian cultures, such as the Hittites, Urartians, Assyrians, and Arameans. There are also Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Persian, and Arabian artifacts on display.

Assyrian relief at the Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Assyrian relief
Statue of Neo-Assyrian King Shalmaneser III at the Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Statue of Neo-Assyrian King Shalmaneser III
Balawat Gate; bronze and wood; c. 860 BC; Neo-Assyrian at the Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Balawat Gate; bronze and wood; c. 860 BC; Neo-Assyrian

Some of the most impressive items are glazed brick panels from the Processional Way leading to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. It features Mesopotamian lions and flowers.

Glazed brick panel from the Processional Way to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon
Glazed brick panel from the Processional Way to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon
Glazed brick panel from the Processional Way to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon at the Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Glazed brick panel from the Processional Way to the Ishtar Gate in Babylon

Most of the Egyptian collection comes from the Dra’ Abu el-Naga’ necropolis on the West Bank of the Nile directly opposite the Karnak Temple. It was excavated by French Egyptologist Henri Gauthier (1877-1950) in 1904. Others are gifts of the khedives (hıdivs) of Egypt and Ottoman officials. The Egyptian collection contains about 1,200 artifacts.

Egyptian collection at the Museum of the Ancient Orient at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Egyptian collection


 

Tiled Kiosk

The Tiled Kiosk (Çinili Köşk) houses a museum of tiles, pottery, and Islamic art at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Turkey. It was built in 1472 by Sultan Mehmed II as a small pleasure palace just outside the main walls of Topkapi Palace. Sports competitions were held on the grounds surrounding it.

Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Tiled Kiosk
Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Tiled Kiosk

The Tiled Kiosk was used as the Imperial Museum (Müze-i Hümayun) from 1875 to 1891. After that, it was used to display Islamic artifacts. In 1939, the building was allocated to the Topkapi Palace Museum and the collection was dispersed to other museums.

Fireplace and tiled walls at the Tiled Kiosk
Fireplace and tiled walls

In 1953, on the 500th anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople, the building reopened to the public as the Museum of the Conqueror (Fatih Müzesi). It displayed arms, clothing, paintings, books, and other items associated with Sultan Mehmed II.

Fountain at the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Fountain

Later on, Ottoman and Islamic tiles and ceramics were displayed. In 1981 the building was incorporated into the Istanbul Archaeology Museums and still displays tiles and ceramics to this day.

Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Tiled Kiosk

The Tiled Kiosk is two stories high and contains three apartments connected to a central room. The façade contains glazed bricks with a Central Asian influence, and the main entrance is surrounded by a tiled green arch. The architect was most likely Persian. The portico was rebuilt in the 18th century under Abdülhamid I and contains 14 columns.

Entrance to the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Entrance
Tiles at the entrance at the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Tiles at the entrance

 

Collection of the Tiled Kiosk

Inside the museum is a collection of tiles and ceramics dating from the 12th through 20th centuries.

Tiled window façade; in-colored glaze technique; Haseki Hürrem Sultan Madrasa, Haseki, Istanbul; c. 1540
Tiled window façade; in-colored glaze technique; Haseki Hürrem Sultan Madrasa, Haseki, Istanbul; c. 1540
Tiled window façade; in-colored glaze technique; Haseki Hürrem Sultan Madrasa, Haseki, Istanbul; c. 1540
Tiled window façade; in-colored glaze technique; Haseki Hürrem Sultan Madrasa, Haseki, Istanbul; c. 1540
Polychrome vessels; glazed; Iznik; last quarter of the 16th century
Polychrome vessels; glazed; Iznik; last quarter of the 16th century
Ceramics at the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Ceramics
Miletus wares; red clay; Iznik; late 14th and early 15th centuries
Miletus wares; red clay; Iznik; late 14th and early 15th centuries

The central room contains mostly Iznik tiles. Kütahya, Çanakkale, and Seljuk tiles and ceramics, among others, are also displayed throughout the museum.

Room with Kütahya ceramics
Room with Kütahya ceramics
Kütahya ceramics at the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Kütahya ceramics
Kütahya ceramics at the Tiled Kiosk at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums in Istanbul, Turkey
Kütahya ceramics
Plate with representation of a kiosk; glazed; Çanakkale; second half of the 18th century
Plate with representation of a kiosk; glazed; Çanakkale; second half of the 18th century
Tiled mihrab; in-colored glaze technique; Karamanoğlu Ibrahim Bey Soup Kitchen, Karaman; 1432
Tiled mihrab; in-colored glaze technique; Karamanoğlu Ibrahim Bey Soup Kitchen, Karaman; 1432

Just outside the Tiled Kiosk to the left is a collection of columns, statues, and architectural fragments.

Columns, statues, and architectural fragments
Columns, statues, and architectural fragments

 

Map with the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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