Ibrahim Pasha Palace, Ottoman palace in Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, Turkey
Ibrahim Pasha Palace is a 16th-century residence located at Sultanahmet Square featuring stone walls, multiple courtyards, and different architectural elements from the Ottoman period. The building displays the typical layout with open courts and surrounding rooms that give a sense of life during that era.
The palace was given to Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, and he lived there until his execution in 1536. This event marked a turning point in the building's use, after which it took on a new purpose.
The palace now houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, displaying manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, and traditional carpets from different periods. These objects show how people created both everyday and precious items across several centuries.
Visits are possible daily, and visitors should plan for an hour or more to explore the palace thoroughly. Guided tours are available in several languages and help visitors understand the collections and spaces better.
The palace is the only surviving private residence from the Ottoman period that maintains its original architectural structure in Istanbul. This preservation is due to its conversion into a museum, which protected it from modern alterations.
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