Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is located at the Hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul’s Fatih district, Turkey. The building housing the museum is a historic structure constructed in 1524, originally serving as the palace of Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha. It is one of the most important examples of 16th-century Ottoman civil architecture and also a historically significant horse racing venue.

The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is the first Turkish museum to comprehensively cover works of Turkish and Islamic art. Its preparation began in the late 19th century and was completed in 1913, when it opened to the public. The museum was formerly known as the “Evkaf-ı İslâmiye Müzesi” (Islamic Foundation Museum), and was renamed the “Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts” after the proclamation of the Republic.

As one of the most important museums in the world, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts houses nearly all types of artworks from all eras of Islamic art, with a current collection exceeding 40,000 pieces. The collection includes renowned samples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, Oriental carpets, and ethnographic exhibitions from various cultures in Turkey—especially nomadic groups. In addition, it features reconstructed traditional homes from different eras and regions of Turkey.

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

Must-visit reason: The best exhibition space for Turkish and Islamic art

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Turkey

Province/State: Istanbul Province

City: Istanbul