Istanbul Archaeology Museums Tourism

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are a group of three archeological museums located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, Turkey, near Gülhane Park and Topkapi Palace. Comprising the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum, this museum complex was founded by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1891. It boasts a vast collection of artifacts from various cultures, but it is especially noted for its extensive collection of regional artifacts that chronologiically showcase the civilizations that once thrived in the areas that now constitute modern Turkey. Among its most significant holdings is the Alexander Sarcophagus, found in Lebanon, which is thought to be designed for Alexander the Great. Other highlights include the Treaty of Kadesh, regarded as the world's earliest surviving peace treaty, and artifacts from the city of Troy. The museums exhibit a range of items from the prehistoric eras to the Ottoman period, offering insights into the history, art, and culture of the city and surrounding regions.