The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is the first museum in Turkey to exhibit Turkish-Islamic artworks together. It opened in 1914 in the imaret building of the Suleymaniye Mosque Complex and in 1983, the museum was relocated to Ibrahim Pasha Palace, situated to the west of Blue Mosque Square. Apart from the royal palaces, the museum building is one of the earliest surviving palace buildings to this day. It was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1520 and gifted to his son-in-law and grand vizier, Ibrahim Pasha of Pargali. The museum was restored in 2012 and reopened in 2014, on the 100th anniversary of its first opening, with a new exhibition and additional areas to visit. The museum houses rare examples of art from various Islamic periods, including Emevi, Abbasi, Artuklu, Eyyubi, Ilhanlı, Timurid, Safavi, Kaçar, Memluk, Seljuk and Ottoman. Its collection of rugs is considered the best in the world, featuring masterpieces such as the rare 13th century Seljuk carpets. Alongside its rug collection, the museum boasts a collection of pristine works of art. The museum exhibits a variety of precious objects, including glassware, stone and terracotta artifacts, and metal and ceramic pieces. The courtyard hall features a collection of ethnography that reflects the daily life of 19th century Istanbul. Additionally, the museum's Holy Relics section showcases important works similar to those found in Topkapı Palace. While You Are Here… Be sure to explore the Blue Mosque and its surroundings. The park in the Square is especially vibrant when tulips are in bloom. The must-see artworks in the square, where horse carriage races were held in Byzantine times, are Kaiser Wilhelm (German) Fountain, Theodosius Obelisk and Spiral Column. But after all, the place not to be missed in Sultanahmet Square is the Blue Mosque which gives its name to the square.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ARTS
