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The Istanbul Archaeological Museums is a complex of three museums: the Archaeology Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. Located in the same garden, these institutions house an extensive collection of artifacts, with nearly one million pieces representing various civilizations from the vast territories of the former Ottoman Empire. Established in 1869 as the Imperial Museum (Müze-i Hümayun), it holds the distinction of being Turkey’s first museum, marking the institutionalization of museology in the country.
The Archaeology Museum became a center for historical preservation and excavation under Osman Hamdi Bey, a prominent painter and archaeologist. His efforts led to the discovery of remarkable artifacts, including the famous Alexander Sarcophagus, brought from the necropolis of Sidon. As the museum expanded, its growing collection required a purpose-built space, leading to the construction of the neoclassical main building, designed by the renowned architect Alexander Vallaury, which officially opened in 1891.
The Tiled Kiosk Museum, the oldest structure in the complex, was built in 1472 by Sultan Mehmed II as a pleasure pavilion. With its Persian architectural influence, the building features a grand entrance adorned with mosaic tiles and a marble arcade. It was later converted into a museum and today displays an exquisite collection of Turkish tiles and ceramics from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
The Museum of the Ancient Orient was originally constructed as the Ottoman Empire’s first fine arts school in 1883 but was repurposed as a museum in 1917. This institution focuses on the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and the Near East, exhibiting significant artifacts such as cuneiform inscriptions, statues, and relics from ancient empires.
The Istanbul Archaeological Museums stand as one of the world’s most significant museum complexes, not only for its vast and diverse collection but also for its architectural grandeur. The main building remains one of the finest examples of neo-classical architecture in Istanbul.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.