Istanbul Travel Guide: Best Attractions and Sights
The term “Selatin” refers to grand and magnificent mosques commissioned by the sultans during the Ottoman Empire. This designation is typically applied to mosques located in the imperial capitals, symbolizing the power and splendor of the state. The phrase “Selatin Mosques in Fatih” denotes such significant mosques situated in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Fatih…
Topkapi Palace, constructed between 1460-1478 by Sultan Mehmed II (known as the Conqueror), served as the residence of the Ottoman sultans and a center for state governance and education. This palace, which underwent several expansions over time, was home to Ottoman sultans and the palace community until the mid-19th century. Upon entering Istanbul, Mehmed II…
The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul is a significant cultural institution that showcases a wide array of artifacts from various Islamic periods, including the Abbasid, Mamluk, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. It is Turkey’s first comprehensive museum of Turkish-Islamic art. Historical Background and Location Originally named the “Evkaf-ı Islâmiye Müzesi” (Islamic Foundations Museum), it…
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums, located in Istanbul, Turkey, comprise a complex of three main units: the Archaeology Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. As Turkey’s first museum, the Archaeology Museum boasts an impressive collection of over one million artifacts from various cultures, primarily gathered from the territories of the…
The Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam is a unique and historically significant institution located in Istanbul, Turkey. Situated in the Has Ahırlar Building adjacent to the Palace Wall in Gülhane Park, the museum showcases the rich scientific and technological advancements made by Muslim scholars between the 9th and 16th centuries….
Galata Mevlevihanesi, also known as Kulekapı Mevlevihanesi, is a historic Mevlevi lodge located in Istanbul, Turkey, with a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1491. It was initially built on the hunting grounds of İskender Paşa, the Beylerbeyi (Governor-General) during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II. The first sheikh of the lodge was…
The Great Palace Mosaic Museum, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is a remarkable exhibition of mosaics that were unearthed during excavations starting in 1935 in the northeastern part of the porticoed courtyard of the Eastern Roman Great Palace. These mosaics, dating back to the period between 450-550 AD, are celebrated for their artistic quality and the…
Rumeli Fortress Museum, also known as Rumeli Hisarı Museum, is a significant historical site located in Istanbul, Turkey. This fortress was constructed under the orders of Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1452, primarily to control the passage of ships through the Bosphorus. The construction involved a large workforce, including 300 masters, 700-800 workers, 200 carriage drivers,…
The Fethiye Museum, located in the Balat neighborhood of Fatih district in Istanbul, is a site steeped in history and religious significance. However, it’s currently closed for renovations. Key Information about the Fethiye Museum: Opening/Closing Hours: Currently, the museum is closed for renovations, and thus the opening and closing hours are not applicable. Closed Days:…
The Adam Mickiewicz Museum in Istanbul provides an insightful glimpse into the life and works of the renowned Polish poet, playwright, patriot, and author of the national epic of Poland. Recognized as a key figure in Romanticism in Polish literature, Mickiewicz is often compared to George Byron and Johann Wolfgang Goethe of the early 19th-century…
