VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 5.0/5 (2872 votes cast)
The museum was built on the northern section of the peristyle courtyard of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire, where mosaics used to decorate the pavement had been discovered partially in good condition.
Istanbul Mosaic Museum (Great Palace Mosaic Museum), is located close to Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, Turkey, at Arasta Bazaar. The museum houses mosaics from the Byzantine period, unearthed at the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople.
The museum hosts the mosaics used to decorate the pavement of a peristyle court, dating possibly to the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I (r. 527-565). It was uncovered by Turkish archaeologists from the University of St Andrews in Scotland during extensive excavations at the Arasta Bazaar in Sultan Ahmet Square in 1935-1938 and 1951-1954.
| Address |
: |
Sultanahmet, Eminönü |
| Web Site |
: |
www.ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr |
| E-mail |
: |
mozaik@muze.gov.tr – ayasofyamuzesi@kulturturizm.gov.tr |
| Phone |
: |
(212) 518 12 05 |
| Fax |
: |
(212) 512 54 74 |
The Great Palace mosaics, reflecting a matchless master ship, are dated by specialists to 450-550 AD. The white background of the mosaics resembles fish scales. The scenes depicted on the mosaics are from daily life and nature, rather than being religious. The scenes of a griffin eating a lizard, a fight between an elephant and a lion, a mare nursing her filly, children herding geese, a man milking a goat, a child feeding a donkey, a girl with a jug, bears eating apples and a fight between a hunter and a tiger are among the most spectacular examples displayed in the museum.
Istanbul Mosaic Museum
The area formed part of the south-western Great Palace, and the excavations discovered a large peristyle courtyard, with a surface of 1872 m², entirely decorated with mosaics. It was at this point that the Austrian Academy of Sciences, supervised by Prof. Dr. Werner Jobst, undertook to study and preserve the famous palace mosaic and to carry out additional archeological examinations (1983-1997) within the scope of a cooperative project with the Directorate General of Monuments and Museums in Turkey.
|
Istanbul Travel Guide
- Bosphorus, Istanbul
- Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
- Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
- Etz Ahayim Synagogue
- Galata Tower, Istanbul
- Golden Horn
- Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
- Hippodrome, Istanbul
- Istanbul Archaeology Museum
- Istanbul Jewish Cemetery
- Neve Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul
- Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
- Suleymaniye Mosque Istanbul
- Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
- Underground Cistern, Istanbul
- Zulfaris Synagogue
- Beylerbeyi Palace
- Rumelihisari (Fortress)
- Camlica Hill
- Bosphorus Bridge
- Istanbul Mosaic Museum
- Church of the Holy Apostles
- Eyup Mosque and Mausoleum
- Beyazit Camii
- Fatih Camii
- Fethiye Camii “Pammakaristos Church”
- Hagia Eirene
- Orthodox Patriarchate and Cathedral
- Sts Sergius and Bacchus
- Yeni Camii
- Zeyrek Camii “Church of the Pantocrator”
- Prince’s Islands
- Mosque of Rustem Pasha
- Galata Bridge
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
- Miniatürk
- Istanbul Modern Museum
- Galata Mevlevihanesi
- Pierre Loti
- Istanbul, Turkish Baths
- Walk through Istiklal Street
- Tunnel
- Military Museum
- Port of Istanbul
- City Walls of Istanbul
- Maiden’s Tower
- Harem
- Tofre Begadim Synagogue
- Yıldız Park
- Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
- Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue, Istanbul
- Ashkenazi Synagogue, Istanbul
- Balat, Istanbul
- Blue Mosque, Istanbul
|
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +3098 (from 3098 votes)
The mosaic museum has amazing mosaics from what they believe to be Justinian's palace. It's only about a 5 minute walk from the Blue Mosque and will only take about 10-15 minutes to see, so it's great.
The place is rather hard to find (the entrance is in Carper Market behind Sultanahmet mosque). Some pannos are really big and interesting. There are not too many mosaics, but those presented are just great!
Right next to the Bazaar and Blue Mosque is a small, but very well designed mosaic museum in Istanbul. It is a beautifully preserved ruin of a mosaic from a Byzantine Palace beautifully displayed. I am an amateur mosaics artist and love that Turkey has preserved this unique, although dark, mosaic. They are windows into the past.
I loved seeing these mosaics! Beautiful artwork and fascinating to see the pictures and stories they tell. Great fun to photograph too (allowed without flash).
This small inexpensive museum is a must for anyone interested in the history of Constantinople, before it was conquered and became Istanbul. These are the remains of part of the mosaic floors of the Roman Imperial Palace, most of which is long gone. The mosaics are as well preserved as possible, after what they have gone through.
This is definitely a must in Istanbul. It’s beautiful and so rich in history.
Impressive, a lot to see and do in this museum.
The mosaics are really interesting. It’s a different world altogether where history rules. They were a bit ruined but that just added to the overall historical, just-out-of-the-old-world effect. This place is recommended for all history and art lovers.
The biggest Roman mosaic I have ever seen – fantastic images of animals, people and mythological beats. Great viewing platforms – and you are allowed to take photo's. Some information in English too. It is a bit difficult to find – behind and below the Blue Mosque but worth seeking out.
We had some free time, so went along to find this museum – and what a treat it was. Firstly it is located in a very nice bazaar, in my opinion better than the grand bazaar! We found the museum, and it was lovely – beautifully preserved mosaics, mindbogglingly so considering how ancient they were!