Open Air Cinema Among the Models

Miniaturk is a park on the shore of the Golden Horn displaying scaled models of buildings from across Turkey in the open air; in summer the same grounds turn into an open-air cinema in the evenings. Run by IBB Kultur AS, the park puts a place visited by day to a different use after dark.

What the programme covers

The selection usually splits into two strands: well-loved classics of Turkish cinema and animation suitable for children. So the programme serves both the adult coming alone and the family. Screenings start in the evening once it is dark. Children aged fifteen and under attend free.

What the setting offers

The screening area is inside the park, so you can walk round the models before the film. A daytime visit takes about an hour; models of buildings from Anatolia and Istanbul are laid out to scale, and for children, finding in model form a building they have seen for real becomes a game. There is also a maze, a playground and a miniature train inside the park.

Practical notes

As the grounds are open it cools down by the Golden Horn in the evening, so bring a light layer. Seating is not fixed, and arriving early makes finding a good spot easier. The programme is seasonal and the film list is announced periodically, so check the calendar before going, as there may not be a screening every evening.

Combined ticket

A combined ticket with the IBB Kultur AS Digital Experience Centre in the same area is offered from time to time, letting you visit both museums on one ticket. In the summer period there are arrangements under which both stay open late on certain days of the week. As both offer indoor or shaded space, they are a good option on hot days.

Getting there

On the Golden Horn shore, on the Sutluce side. There are metro and bus connections by public transport, and parking if you come by car. The Rahmi M. Koc Museum and Panorama 1453 are nearby, so a day combining all three can be arranged.