About Istanbul

Istanbul’s Cultural and Historical Monuments VII

Cemeteries, Mausoleums, Dervish Lodges (Westernization and Republic Period)

Edirnekapı Cemetery

This is on of the oldest cemeteries of the city. The cemetery was originally formed with the graves of the Ottomen Empire soldiers , who died as martyrs during the conquest of the Constantinople. The tombstones from 15th and 16th century , stoneworks, headgears and callgraphies maket his cemetery an open air museum. The martyrs of Balkan Wars and the World War I are buried here. There is also a section for martyrs of 16th March , fire martyrs , and old fire brigades. The roadworks of 1950s hae destroyed many important tombstones and tombs. It is the second largest cemetery of the city after Karacaahmet Cemetery.

Aziz Mahmut Hüdai Lodge and Mausoleum (1598)

It was built in Üsküdar by Şeyh Aziz Mahmut Hüdai , the founder of Celvetiye dervish order. As a complex designed lodge contains kitchen , cemetery , mosque, mausoleum, school, library, women section and houses.In Mausoleum there are 11 sarcophaguses of Aziz Mahmut Hüdai and his children.

Galata Mevlevi Lodge (1491)

Mevlevihane was opened to the public on December 1975. It is being used also as Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum. Sema ceremonies are held once every 1st and 4 th Friday of the month ; ıt helps to continue the tradition. On the left side of entrance gate there are tombs of Şeyh Galip ve Nayi Osman Dede.

Uzbeks Dervish Lodge (1692)

The lodge was built in 1692 and restored in 1887. Located between Kadırga and Sultanahmet, the lodge is the centre of residence for Uzbek Turks and Turks from Bukhara living in Istanbul. It is on of the pioneer buildings of the 1 st national architecture movement. It belongs to the directorate of foundations, and can be visited as culture centre.

  • Eyüp Sultan Cemetery
  • Karacaahmet Cemetery
  • Hagia Sophia Mausoleums
  • Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mausoleum (1546)
  • Eyüp Sultan Mausoleum (1454)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Mehmet II , the Conqueror (1784)
  • Hatice Turhan Sultan Mausoleum (1682)
  • Hürrem Sultan Mausoleum (1558)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Suleiman , the Magnificent (1566)
  • Karaca Ahmet Mausoleum (1866)
  • Mahmut Nedim Paşa Mausoleum (1883)
  • Merkez Efendi Mausoleum (1551)
  • Architect Sinan Mausoleum (1588)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmet I (1620)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Beyazıt II (1514)
  • Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmut II (1840)
  • Sümbül Efendi Mausoleum and Dervish Lodge (1529)
  • Şeyh Zafir Mausoleum (1887)
  • Yahya Efendi Mausoleum and Dervish Lodge (1570)
  • Yavedud Suktan Mausoleum (1875)
  • Yavuz Sultan Selim Mausoleum (1522)
  • Bahariye Mevlevi Lodge (1877)
  • Kadirhane (1630)
  • Kasımpaşa Mevlevi Lodge (1834)
  • Kasghari Dervish Lodge (1745)
  • Nureddin Cerrahi Dervish Lodge (1703)
  • Üsküdar Mevlevi Lodge (1794 , 1834)
  • Yenikapı Mevlevi Lodge (1597 , 1910)

Famous Streets, Avenues and Woods

Istiklal Avenue

This avenue , (Cadde-i Kebir in Ottoman language) is one of the most important symbols of the westernization period of Ottomans. This avenue, which houses exquisite boutiques, music stores, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafes, nigth life, historical patisseries, chocolateries and restaurants, is the most important and elegant pedestrian street of city.

  • Akbıyık Street
  • Beyazıt Square
  • Cezayir Street
  • Divan Street
  • Fethi Paşa Wood
  • Gülhane Park
  • Ortaköy Square
  • Soğukçeşme Street
  • Taksim Square
  • Talimhane
  • Yıldız Wood
  • Yüksek Kaldırım Street

Museums

Archaeological Museums

The museum complex consists of İstanbul Archeology Museum, Ancient Eastern Artworks Museum and Çinili Pavilion Museum. It was opened to public in 1891. The first curator was Osman Hamdi Bey, who was also the founder of the museum and a famous painter. The architect was Alexander Vallaury. The museum has ancient tombstones, artifacts from Ephesus, Miletus and Aphrodisias, the sculptures from Hellenic and Roman era Alexander tomb, crying women tomb. The findings and artifacts from tumulus excavations are being exhibited. Also the Byzantine era hall is here. In “Istanbul for Ages” section the contemporary artworks are being exhibited. The “Anatolia and Troia for Ages” and “Surrounding Cultures of Anatolia” are exhibited in choronological order.

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 18.00


Hagia Irene Church Museum (Hagia Irene , See Byzantine Era Churches)

Visiting is not allowed. It can only be visited with special permission of Hagia Sophia Museum Directorate.


Hagia Sophia Museum (1935 , Hagia Sophia Church, See Byzantine Era Churches)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 19.00 except Mondays


Press Museum (1988)

Visiting Hours : 10.00 – 19.00 except Sundays


Beylerbeyi Palace Museum (1984)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.30 except Mondays and Thursdays


Great Palace Mosaics Museum (1953, See Byzantine Era Palaces)

Visiting Hours : 09.30 – 17.00 except Wednesdays


Republic Education Museum (1998)

Visiting Hours : 10.00 – 17.30 except Sundays


Çırağan Palace Museum (2008)

Visiting Hours : Open 24 Hours


Naval Museum (1897)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.00 except Mondays and Tuesdays


Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum (1975)

Visiting Hours : 09.30 – 17.00


Dolmabahçe Palace Museum (1930 , See Republic Era Palaces)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 16.00 except Mondays and Thursdays


Fethiye Museum (1949 , Pammakaristos Church , See Byzantine Era Churches)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 16.30 except Wednesdays


Harbiye Military Museum And Culture Site (1993)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.00 except Mondays and Tuesdays


Islamic Calligraphy Museum (1968)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 16.00 except Sundays and Mondays


Museum Of Islamic Science And Technology

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 16.30 except Thursdays


Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (2004)

It was founded in an 8000 m2 area in the shore of the Boshhorus in 2004 as the first private museum that organizes modern and contemporary arts exhibitions in Turkey. The museum, that hosts the multidisciplinary events, aims to convey the artistic creativity of Turkey to the masses and share its culturel identity with the international artistic environment.

Visiting Hours : Tuesdays – Sundays 10.00 – 18.00, Thursdays 10.00 – 20.00, closed on Mondays.


Kariye Museum (1948, See Byzantine Era Churches)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.00 except Wednesdays


Pera Museum (2005)

Visiting Hours : Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 – 19.00 Sunday 12.00 – 18.00, closed on Mondays.


Rahmi Koç Industry Museum (1996)

The museum which was opened by the support of businessman Rahmi Koç is the first important museum dedicated to history of industry, transport, communication in Turkey. The museum consists of three sections.Lengerhane is the name in navigation given to the place where to anchor and chains used are cast. It was established during the rule of Ahmet III on the foundations of a Byzantine building dating back to 12th century. Some of the most striking objects exhibited in this section are research equipment and machines which belong to Kandilli Observatory. Furthermore, some means of transport such as planes, locomotives, historic vehicles, toys and models, printing machines and communication machines are also displayed.

The docyard was built by Şirket-i Hayriye ( Ottoman Maritime Company) for repair and maintenance for its own ships in 1861. At the time the docyard was bought fort he museum,it consisted of 14 buildings, a carpenter’s workshop and slipways. The objects displayed in this section are maritime collection, objects of computer history , motorcycles and bicycles, horse carts, oxcarts, classic automobiles, objects of rail transport, agricultural objects, olive oil factory and underwater collection. Not only some objects such as a plane, steam powered tugboat, industrial and archeological examples are displayed in the outdoor exhibition area but also some events are organized in the forecourt.

Visiting Hours : Tuesday – Friday 10.00 – 17.00, Weekends 10.00 – 19.00, closed on Mondays.


Painting and Sculptures Museum (1937)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.00 except Mondays and Tuesdays


Tekfur Palace Museum (See Byzantine Era Palaces)

Visiting is not allowed. It can only be visited with special permission of Hagia Sophia Museum Directorate


Topkapı Palace Museum (1924, See Classical Ottoman Era)

Visiting Hours : 10.00 – 17.00 except Tuesdays,
Harem is visited with extra ticket 09.30 – 15.30)


Museum Of Turkish and Islamic Arts (İbrahim Paşa Palace ,1914)

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 17.00 except Mondays


Yedikule Fortress Museum (1968, See Byzantine Era Walls)

Visiting Hours : 08.30 – 16.00


Yıldız Palace Museum (1984, See Republic Era Palaces)

Visiting Hours : 10.00 – 16.00 except Tuesdays


Cultural Places of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

Art and Culture Centers :

  • Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall
  • Feshane International Fair, Congress and Culture Center
  • İstanbul Convention & Exhibition Center
  • İstanbul Congress Center
  • Haliç Congress Center
  • Taksim Art Gallery
  • Tarık Zafer Tunaya Culture Center

City Theaters :

  • Cemil Topuzlu Open – Air Theatre
  • Harbiye Open – Air Theatre
  • Reşat Nuri Stage
  • Üsküdar Kerem Yılmazer Stage

Libraries :

Atatürk Library

It was established by the municipality as Istanbul’s first municipality library in 1924. Since April 24, 1981 the library is open under the name ‘ Atatürk Library ‘ . The hexagon shaped building is superimposed on structural triangle grille. The storage capacity of three storey library is about 600.000 books.

  • Eyüp Library for Blinds
  • Women Library

Museums :

Atatürk Museum (1943)

The three storey house in Şişli district was the Atatürk’s residence in Istanbul, before his landing at Samsun. Now it is a museum with his belongings.

Visiting Hours : 09.00 – 16.00 except Sundays and Thursdays


Fire Brigade Museum (1932)

Visiting Hours : 08.30 – 16.30 except weekends


Cartoon And Humor Museum (1975)

Visiting Hours : 09.30 – 16.00


Miniaturk (2003)

Miniaturk is a miniature park in İstanbul, Turkey. Miniaturk covers a total area 60.000 m2. It is the world’s largest miniature parkwith its 15.000 m2 model area. Miniaturk has 40.000 m2 of open space, 3.500 m2 of covered area, 2.000 m2 of pools and waterways, and parking lot with a capacity of 500 vehicles. The park contains 105 models done in 1/25 th scale. 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 are fromAnatolia , and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lay outside of Turkey.

Visiting Hours : Weekdays 09.00 – 19.00, Weekends 09.00 – 21.00


Panaromic 1453 History Museum (2009)

It is a special panoramic 3D museum about the conquest of İstanbul. The museum located in Topkapı City Park on 3.000 m2. The panoramic illustrations of museum can be seen both as horizontal and as vertical. It makes the museum unique in entire world.

Visiting Hours : Weekdays 09.00 – 19.00, Weekends 09.00 – 21.00


Yıldız City Museum (1939)

Visiting Hours : Weekdays 09.00 – 16.30, except Sundays and Mondays


Basilica Cistern (542, See Byzantine Era Cisterns)

Visiting Hours : Weekdays 09.00 – 18.30


Maksem Cumhuriyet Museum (2009)


Pavilion Restaurants :

  • White Pavilion ( Emirgan) Tel : 0212 323 49 29
  • Çadır Pavilion (Yıldız Wood) Tel : 0212 258 94 23
  • Hıdiv Summer Pavlion (Çubuklu) Tel : 0216 413 92 53
  • Little Çamlıca Pavilion Tel : 0216 428 46 96
  • Malta Pavilion (Yıldız Wood) Tel : 0212 258 94 53
  • Pink Pavilion (Emirgan ) Tel : 0212 229 50 38
  • Yellow Pavilion ( Emirgan ) Tel : 0212 229 50 38