Information
Landmark: New Mosque (Yeni Camii)City: Istanbul
Country: Turkey
Continent: Asia
New Mosque (Yeni Camii), Istanbul, Turkey, Asia
Overview
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi) stands among Istanbul’s most important museums, where visitors can trace the vibrant colors of early Islamic calligraphy through to the intricate tilework of the Ottoman Empire, capturing centuries of Turkish and Islamic heritage.The museum sits in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, right in the city’s heart, just a short walk from the tram for anyone eager to explore.The museum sits inside the historic Ibrahim Pasha Palace, its stone arches and weathered walls adding to the charm of the exhibits.The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts opened its doors in 1914, originally known as the Ottoman Imperial Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.The museum exists to safeguard and share Islamic art and Turkish cultural treasures, from delicate calligraphy and centuries-old manuscripts to vibrant textiles, glazed ceramics, and the warm grain of carved wood.Spanning more than a thousand years, the collection invites visitors to trace the evolution of Islamic and Turkish art and culture, from delicate calligraphy on parchment to vibrant handwoven carpets.In 1983, the museum moved into the Ibrahim Pasha Palace, a grand Ottoman residence built in the 16th century for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent’s influential vizier, Ibrahim Pasha, its stone walls still cool to the touch.The building is a fine example of Ottoman architecture, with sunlit courtyards, graceful arches, and carved patterns that catch the light.At the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, you’ll find a remarkable range of artifacts-from delicate calligraphy on yellowed parchment to intricate Turkish tiles-showcasing some of the finest Islamic and Turkish art ever made.The museum arranges its exhibits into distinct sections, each spotlighting a different facet of Islamic and Turkish artistic heritage-like a gallery where intricate blue-tiled mosaics glimmer under soft light.Number one.One of the museum’s most striking treasures is its Islamic calligraphy collection, celebrated across the Islamic world as a pinnacle of artistic expression, with graceful curves and ink strokes that seem to breathe on the page.Visitors can linger over handwritten Qurans, study graceful calligraphic panels, and trace delicate inscriptions that reveal the flowing elegance of Arabic script.The collection features works by renowned calligraphers from different eras, with pieces dating back to the graceful curves of the Ottoman period and the intricate lines of the Seljuk age.Number two.The museum houses an extensive trove of Islamic manuscripts, including Qurans whose pages still carry the faint scent of aged parchment, many dating back to the earliest days of Islam.These manuscripts hold copies of the Quran, treasured religious writings, and scientific works that once traveled from bustling markets in Cairo to distant corners of the Islamic world.Illuminated manuscripts, glowing with intricate gold patterns, and flowing calligraphy stand as remarkable examples of Islamic artistic traditions.The Quran Collection features several rare, beautifully crafted Qurans, including some of the oldest still in existence-one’s pages are edged with delicate gold leaf.Many of these manuscripts glow with gold leaf patterns and delicate, hand-drawn calligraphy.Number three.The museum also houses an exceptional collection of Turkish carpets and textiles, their rich colors and intricate patterns standing among the most celebrated examples of Turkish craftsmanship.The collection features Anatolian rugs, from delicate 15th‑century weavings to richly patterned carpets whose colors still glow after centuries.These carpets stand out for their deep, vibrant colors, bold geometric designs, and symbolic motifs that echo the culture and artistry of the regions where skilled hands wove them.The museum’s textile collection features Ottoman-era silks and brocades, their rich gold threads and intricate patterns showcasing the lavish artistry of the Ottoman Empire.Number four.Another major section of the museum showcases ceramics and pottery from across the Islamic world, with intricate Persian tiles, glazed bowls from Syria, and vibrant Anatolian designs.The collection holds intricately decorated tiles, blue-and-white porcelain that gleams like polished seashells, and vessels shaped with exquisite care.The museum displays a collection of Iznik ceramic tiles, their deep cobalt blues and delicate patterns reflecting the artistry of the Ottoman era.Artisans often used these tiles to adorn Ottoman mosques and palaces, their crisp geometric designs and vivid floral swirls now instantly recognizable.Five.The museum also displays wooden and metal treasures-doors with iron hinges, carved window frames, and ornate chests-that reveal the skillful craftsmanship of the Ottoman and Seljuk eras.These pieces show off intricate carving and inlay, with gleaming mother-of-pearl, smooth ivory, and bright threads of silver.Ottoman Woodwork: The Ottoman era produced exquisite woodworking, and in the museum you’ll find finely carved wooden panels, sturdy doors, and elegant furniture, their polished surfaces still warm with the glow of age.Metal Objects: The museum features brass and copper treasures-lamps casting warm glows, slender candlesticks, and graceful vases-all testifying to the masterful skill of Islamic and Ottoman metalworkers.Number six.The museum also showcases intricate architectural models of renowned Ottoman and Seljuk buildings, from graceful domes to slender minarets, giving visitors a vivid sense of the era’s design style and guiding principles.These models give visitors a clearer sense of how Islamic architecture evolved, from the sweep of a stone dome to the slender rise of a minaret and the quiet expanse of a sunlit courtyard that define Ottoman mosques.Seven.The museum also showcases Islamic coins from dynasties like the Umayyads, Abbasids, and Ottomans, their worn edges and intricate calligraphy catching the light.These coins often carry Arabic inscriptions, sometimes etched so finely you can feel the grooves, and they offer valuable insight into the different eras of Islamic history.The museum houses Turkey’s largest trove of Islamic art-over 40,000 pieces, from delicate calligraphy scrolls to jewel-studded swords, many of them rare and beyond price.Ottoman and Seljuk Treasures: The museum gives you a rare chance to stand before glinting Ottoman imperial relics and finely carved Seljuk-era pieces, each one telling the story of the era’s rich cultural and artistic growth.The Ibrahim Pasha Palace, home to the museum, stands as a rare Ottoman-era masterpiece, its carved stone arches and graceful courtyards adding depth and beauty to the entire experience.The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts sits in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, just steps from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, so it’s an easy stop while wandering the city’s historic heart.The museum’s open most days from about 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but it stays closed on Mondays.Before you head out, check the official website or give them a quick call-you don’t want to find the doors locked when you arrive.The museum charges a small entrance fee, but students and groups can get a discount-like paying less than the cost of a cup of coffee.Guided Tours: The museum offers guided tours in several languages, so guests can dive deep into its stories-like hearing the creak of an old ship’s wheel in the maritime hall.
