Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums form a museum compound in the Fatih district displaying objects from ancient times, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine finds. The three main buildings hold sculptures, vases, coins, and inscriptions brought here from different parts of Ottoman territories.

The first museum building opened in 1891 under Sultan Abdülhamid II and was the first institution of its kind in the Ottoman Empire. Architect Alexander Vallaury designed the structure following European museum models and later expanded the project with two additional buildings.

The complex takes its name from the city itself, formerly known as Byzantium and then Constantinople before becoming Istanbul in modern times. Many visitors come to see the Hellenistic sarcophagi, whose reliefs show scenes of war and hunting commissioned by wealthy families.

The museum buildings sit next to Gülhane Park near Topkapı Palace and are walkable from the old town. The exhibition rooms spread over several floors, so comfortable shoes and enough time for the visit are advisable.

A collection of around 800,000 Ottoman coins is stored here and ranks among the largest of its kind worldwide. The same complex also holds the oldest known peace agreement between the Egyptian and Hittite empires from the 13th century before Christ.

Location: Istanbul

Location: Fatih

Inception: June 13, 1891

Architects: Alexandre Vallaury

Official opening: June 13, 1891

Fee: Yes

Address: Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu Sokak, Gülhane

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-19:00

Website: https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=IAR01&DistId=IAR

GPS coordinates: 41.01167,28.98139

Latest update: December 13, 2025 00:23