Istanbul Museum Of Islamic Arts

Istanbul Museum Of Islamic Arts

Ibrahim Pasha Palace on the Sultanahmet Square is believed to have been built in the 16th Century.

The Palace first became popular with the glory of the celebrations of the wedding of Ibrahim Pasha in 1521 who was highly favoured by Sulaiman the Magnificant.

After the execution of Ibrahim Pasha, the palace changed hands for a few times. The palace was renovated and converted into museum during 1966-1983. Since 1983 it serves as the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.

It has been built on the stages of the Roman Hippodrome. The Hippodrome was the biggest arena of the city devoted to public events and demonstrations since the early Byzantine period. The palace with its specific form is in conformity with Ottoman palace style.

It comprises small and big rooms surrounding the four big internal courtyards. In the center of the building there is a courtyard which has been surrounded in U shape from three sides and from there stairs lead to the first floor of the museum.

Turkish and Islamic Works Museum has been awarded with the "Special Jury Prize of the Year" Contest of the European Council in the year 1984 and in the year 1985 it was granted the prize given by European Council-Unesco for its studies for making children love the culture inheritance.

There are many sections in the museum where more than 40.000 works are displayed. The carpet section has the richest collection of carpets from all over the world. Carpets produced in Anatolia between the 15th and 17th centuries constitute the most valuable part of this collection.

In the manuscripts and calligraphy section hand written korans, books about various subjects, edicts, signatures of Ottoman Sultans and similar works are displayed. In addition to the above, there are many special sections such as the Wooden Works, Stone Art, Ceramic and Glass, Metal Art and Ethnography sections in the museum. The museum is open between 09.30 and 16.30 every day except Monday.