What the Ancient World Left Behind
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Beneath Sultanahmet lies the Roman and Byzantine city; the square sits on a hippodrome and the museums are full of finds from that city. This route links five stops on foot, all within a few hundred metres. Five stops, a full day.
Route Stops
The Door to the Depths of History: Istanbul Archaeology Museums
It is made up of three buildings and seeing them all in one day is tiring; start with the main building. The Alexander Sarcophagus is the known piece, but what deserves attention are the traces of paint on it, showing that ancient sculpture was coloured. The Tiled Pavilion is a fifteenth-century building and its tile collection is a visit of its own. In the Ancient Orient section is the tablet of the Treaty of Kadesh, the oldest known written treaty. The sarcophagi and column capitals in the garden can be seen free.
One of the most important archaeology museums in the world, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum captivates its visitors with its unique collections that illuminate thousands of years of human history. Established in 1891 as the first museum of the Ottoman Empire, this magnificent structure is located in the historic Peninsula, right next to Topkapi Palace and Gülhane Park.
The museum consists of three main sections: Archaeology Museum, Museum of Ancient Orient Antiquities, and the Tiled Pavilion Museum. Countless artifacts from ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Mesopotamian civilizations showcase some of the most significant periods in human history. Among the most striking pieces are world history-defining artifacts such as the famous Alexander Sarcophagus, the Sarcophagus of the Weeping Women, and the Treaty of Kadesh.
Visitors have the opportunity to closely explore the artistic understanding, daily life, and belief systems of ancient civilizations while wandering through the museum. The elegant Tiled Pavilion, especially from the Ottoman period, attracts the attention of art enthusiasts with its unique tile and ceramic collections. The museum also offers a comprehensive cultural experience for history enthusiasts through educational programs, exhibitions, and events.
For those who wish to closely explore history and archaeology, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum continues to provide every visitor with an unforgettable journey through time with its doors to the past.
Sultanahmet Square (Hippodrome)
The square itself is not a building but the track of a hippodrome, today's level a few metres above the ancient one. See its three monuments in turn. The Obelisk was brought from Egypt and the reliefs on its base show the scenes of its transport and raising, so bend down to look. The Serpent Column came from Delphi and its heads are lost. The Walled Obelisk is the most worn. That the three line up on one axis marks the central barrier of the track, and the long shape of the square is what remains of it.
Grand Palace Mosaic Museum.
Entered from inside the Arasta Bazaar, with a small sign. The mosaic here comes from the courtyard of the Byzantine Great Palace and is conserved in place rather than moved. The scenes are not religious: a shepherd milking a goat, hunting scenes, children at play. As you look from the walkway, note where the stones change direction, which is where the sense of movement comes from. It is a small museum and forty minutes is enough. On the way out you can look at the shops of the Arasta Bazaar, which sell tiles and carpets.
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum: The Place Where Ottoman Heritage Meets Art and Culture
In the Ibrahim Pasha Palace at the edge of the Hippodrome; the building is sixteenth-century and as interesting as the museum. The carpet collection holds some of the oldest examples in the world, and the hall with the Seljuk carpets is not to be missed. The woodcarving and calligraphy sections are on separate floors. In the ethnography section downstairs a nomad tent and a weaving loom are set up. From its terrace look over the Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Mosque, as the shape of the square reads more clearly from above.
One of the most important cultural treasures of Istanbul, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is a unique museum that brings together the most valuable works of Islamic art. Located in the historic Ibrahim Pasha Palace in Sultanahmet Square, this museum is one of the first Turkish-Islamic collections established during the Ottoman period.
A Meeting Point of Art, History, and Culture
The museum showcases the development of Islamic art with works from the Umayyad, Abbasid, Seljuk, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Its collection includes numerous valuable works such as manuscripts, carpets, ceramics, stone and wood carvings, glasswork, and examples of calligraphy. The museum is also notable for having the largest Islamic carpet collection in the world, particularly hosting the finest examples of Anatolian, Iranian, and Caucasian carpets.
A Discovery in the Historical Atmosphere of Ibrahim Pasha Palace
The Ibrahim Pasha Palace, where the museum is located, was gifted to Grand Vizier Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha, one of the most powerful grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. This palace, which is one of the best examples of Ottoman architecture, now serves as a museum, offering visitors the opportunity to embark on a journey of art and culture in a historical atmosphere. The museum's inner courtyard and high ceilings create a captivating atmosphere that reflects the historical texture.
The Most Valuable Works of Islamic Art
Among the most striking sections of the museum are the calligraphy collection spanning from the 8th century to the present, Ottoman period manuscripts, and Qurans written in Kufi, Thuluth, Naskh, and Talik scripts. Additionally, rare examples of stone, wood, and metal craftsmanship from the Islamic world complete the museum's rich collection.
A Unique Stop to Discover Istanbul's Cultural Heritage
Located in the historic Sultanahmet area, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum offers a unique experience for those interested in Islamic art, wishing to explore artworks from the Ottoman period, and wanting to embark on a cultural journey in a historical setting. With its architecture, exhibited works, and historical texture, it continues to be one of the most impressive museums in Istanbul.
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Walk from the square down the streets running south towards the shore; it takes ten minutes, with old wooden houses along the way. The building was put up before Hagia Sophia and its plan is considered an experiment; setting an octagonal core inside a square shell opened the way to the great dome that followed. Inside, look at the carving on the column capitals and at the Greek inscription around the base of the dome. It serves as a mosque, so visits pause at prayer times. The tea garden in its courtyard is quiet.
