Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul

Few tourists suspect the existence of this museum while walking in another museum under the open sky - Hippodrome Square. No wonder! Hippodrome is one of the centers of Sultanahmet district whose boundaries remind about ancient Constantinople. There is much to look at. Ancient Egyptian column, Greek column cast in bronze made from melted weapons of defeated Persians... Stone Column of Constantine... A little aside to the Hippodrome, the former center of life in Constantinople, there is inconspicuous house of Ibrahim Pasha. Guides tell the visitors a story associated with the house but forget to mention that there is a museum inside. We’ll not allow such a mistake, and you will find out now what it is - Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul, and what particularly you can see there.

But first - the history. Ibrahim Pasha was the minion of Sultan Suleiman, known for his wisdom and success in public affairs. Best of the Sultan’s Viziers, Ibrahim Pasha did much to extend the Ottoman Empire both to the East and West. Then the Vizier bought by chance in the market the slave-Slav, Roxolana. He lived with her for a while, then granted to the Sultan. Rokoslana became the greatest intrigante in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the beloved wife of the Sultan and destroyer of Ibrahim Pasha. As a result of Roksolana’s machinations the Vizier was executed. And the house of gray stone where he lived went to the Sultan. Now there is a unique collection of Islamic antiquities and amazing collection of carpets there!

But let’s talk about this separately. Islamic antiquities came here from the Suleymaniye Mosque, and this collection is one of the richest in the world. It fell by accident in this small museum: the founder of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk ordered to move exhibits from the mosque, so as religious fanatics were not inspired by sacred relics for preaching against the secular state. Among the exhibits there were: a set of relics collected during excavations in the ancient tombs, mosques and libraries of the country, the sultan’s clothing, samples of ancient calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry.

Carpet exposition of the local museum is rightly considered to be one of the best in the world. An incredibly large number of carpets in a variety of styles, with a variety of ornaments of different ages and from all over the world - these kinds of treasures are hidden in the walls of the house of Ibrahim Pasha. The house incidentally is a museum itself. So, in addition to the exhibits you’ll see amazing hall of the museum decorated in the old Ottoman style.

Oh, and the last thing worth stopping the attention of visitors of the museum of Turkish and Islamic Art in Istanbul is the exhibit dedicated to the life of the indigenous tribes of Anatolia. Here you will see clothes of nomads, portable tents made of animal skins of goats and camels and ancient weapons. It will be interesting.

As for goodbye do not forget to buy some albums on the art of Turkey and Islam. They are the best in Istanbul here!

The museum is open every day except Monday, from 9:30 to 17:30. The entrance costs 5 Turkish lire, it’s about $3.