Dolmabahce to Miniaturk: Istanbul's Unique Museums

There is no “the first thing that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned” when you are in İstanbul. The city is considered one of the few metropolises in the world with its magnificent historical and religious buildings, delicious tastes to eat, wonderful places to visit, street entertainment, night entertainment from techno to jazz bars, and Bosporus views that are the subject of poems. Let’s take a look at the museums to visit in the legendary city. 

Dolmabahce Palace Museum

Dolmabahçe Palace Museum, which is remembered as the most eye-catching structure of the Bosporus, is one of the museums that adeserve to be visited with nearly 50,000 works exhibited in hundreds of rooms. Reflecting the glorious periods and reminiscent of European palaces with its interior structure, this museum leaves its visitors sad with the room where Atatürk closed his eyes. There are places where valuable works such as the world’s largest Throne Room, namely the Ceremonial Hall, the Dolmabahçe Clock Museum, and the Valuables Exhibition Hall, where objects used by Ottoman sultans are exhibited, keep the guests alive.

Sakip Sabancı Museum

Located in Emirgan, Sakıp Sabancı Museum is one of the museums that you must visit since it includes works from the Ottoman era, book arts and calligraphy collection, calligraphic artworks, painting collection, furniture and decorative works collection, and religious and state archives. Used as a residence by Sakıp Sabancı in 1966, the Atlı Köşk (Equestrian Villa) was officially opened to its visitors in 2002. This comprehensive museum has managed to become an international level museum with the training given, international temporary exhibitions, concerts, and seminars.

Topkapı Palace Museum

Topkapı Palace Museum, which is among the largest palace museums in the world, has taken its place in history as the residence of the Ottoman sultans. This magnificent museum, which was the first museum of the Republic in 1924, contains many structures such as Alay Square, Divan Square (Justice Square), and Enderun Courtyard. In the museum, where you will witness the world’s leading porcelain collection, 49 diamonds, one of the most famous historical jewelry, and the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond are exhibited. You can also see the most successful works of much historical architecture, sacred relics, treasures, and inscriptions in the Topkapı Palace Museum.

Istanbul Archeology Museums

It consists of three main complexes: The Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Orient, and the Museum of Islamic Art (in the Tiled Kiosk). More than a million works of art from different cultures such as Byzantine, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian are exhibited in the museums, which are some of the most ornate models of neo-classical structures. The Tiled Mansion, whose history goes back to the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror, is exhibited with the spirit of the Seljuks, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works, which inspired Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Faculty, and the Archeology Museum, which is the first of its kind in our country, are among the must-see museums in Istanbul. In addition, these rich museums are also known as the oldest archeology museums in the world.

Miniatürk 

You can visit the magnificent city of Istanbul at once and visit the Miniatürk Open Air Museum. Miniatürk, which was opened in 2003 with the motto of “A Small Model of the Big Country,” actually exhibits the important values of our country with its miniature designs. The museum, which also has an Audio Guide Mobile Application service, is spread over a total area of 60,000 square meters. The museum has a restaurant and gift shop and offers its visitors a 1.5-hour tour of Turkey.

İstanbul Rahmi M. Koç Museum

Located in the Hasköy district on the shore of the Golden Horn, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum consists of three parts: The Historical Hasköy Shipyard, the Open-Air Exhibition Area, and the Mustafa V. Koç Building. There are exhibitions of communication tools such as telegraph and gramophone, transportation vehicles such as classic cars, motorcycles and bicycles, and maritime vehicles such as boats and yachts in the museum. In this rich museum, Golden Horn tours by boat and nostalgic train tours by the railway along the Golden Horn are some activities you can participate in.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

The museum, which is located on Istiklal Street and was opened for the first time in London, contains extremely realistic wax sculptures of many stars such as famous musicians, leaders, movie stars and heroes, successful sportsmen. You can also take a selfie with famous names you admire and save it among your unforgettable memories. This interesting museum in the Grand Pera Shopping Center is very suitable for collecting different memories in Istanbul.