Museums of the city

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MUSEUMS Ayasofya Museum (Saint Sophia) This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and is 31 me ters in diameter. The beautiful decorations include fine Byzantíne mosaics. (Open every day except Monday)
Kariye Museum The 11th century church of St. Saviour in Chora is after St. Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. The walls are decorated with superb l4th century frescoes and mosaics on a gold background. These influenced the E uropean Renaissance. The church is a remarkable museum of Byzantine art. Here you will find a quiet, carefully tended garden facing old wooden houses where you can enjoy tea or coffee. (Open every day except Tuesday)
Yerebatan Sarnici Close to St. Sophia is the Byzantine cistern (6th century) known as the Yerebatan Sarayi. Fine brick vaulting is supported by 336 Corinthian columns. (Open every day except Tuesday.)
The Archaeoligical Museum These are situated at the boundary of the first court of Topkapi Palace. The very rich collection of antiquities in the newly renovated Archaeological Museum includes the celebrated Alexander Sarcophagus. The Museum ot the Ancient Orient displays antiquities from the Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Hatti and Hittite civilizations. (Open every day except Monday)
Cinili Kosk (The Museum of Turkish Ceramics) This "kosk" or pavilion was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the l5th century. It contains beautiful Iznik tiles from the l6th century and fine examples of Seljuk and Ottoman tiles and ceramics. (Open e very day except Monday)
Ibrahim Palace Museum (The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art) Built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasa, Grand Vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent, it was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. It is now used as a museum containing ma ny beautiful Turkish and Persian miniatures, Seljuk tiles, Korans and antique carpets. (Open every day except Monday)
Aviation Museum Located in Yesilköy, this museum traces the development of air flight in Turkey. (Open every day except Monday)
Naval Museum In the Besiktas quarter, it contains the great imperial caiques that were used to row the sultans across the Istanbul Bogazi, and many interesting exhibits from Ottoman naval history. (Open every day except Monday and Tuesday)
Military Museum The exhibits from Ottoman military history include the great tield tents used on campaigns. There are performances by the Mehter Takimi (the Ottoman military bands) between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. (Open every day except Monday and Tuesda y)
Ataturk Museum This is the house where Ataturk lived in Sisli and contains his personal etfects. (Open every day except Saturday and Sunday)
Sadberk Hanim Museum A charming museum housed in two restored wooden villas. The museum is dedicated to old Turkish arts and handicrafts, and includes an archaeological section. It is situated on the Istanbul Bogazi at Buyukdere. (Open every day e xcept Wednesday.)
Museum of Fine Arts Located in Besiktas, it is one of the best museums in Turkey for paintings and sculptures from the end of the 19th century to the present. (Open every day except Monday and Tuesday)
Museum of Turkish Carpets A museum, near the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which contains a fine collection of Turkish carpets and kilims, including some very old examples. (Open every day except Sunday and Monday)
Mosaic Museum This museum was built to preserve, "in situ", exceptionally fine mosaic pavements, of the 5th and 6th centuries, which remain from the Great Palace of the Byzantine Emperor. (Open every day except Monday)
City Museum This museum houses a collection of objects covering the period from the Turkish conquest of Istanbul to the present day. The entrance is by the Yildiz Palace Garden. (Open every day except Thursday)
St.Irene Museum St. Irene was the first church in Istanbul and was built by Constantine in the 4th century and rebuilt by Justinian. It is reputedly the site of a pre- Christian temple. (Open every day except Monday)

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