Istanbul Archaeological Museums is a group of three museums located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, Turkey, near the Topkapi Palace. The museums house a vast collection of artifacts and artworks from different periods and civilizations, including Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.
The first museum, the Archaeological Museum, was founded in 1891 and contains the largest collection of ancient artifacts in Turkey. The museum is divided into several sections, including the prehistoric period, ancient Greece, Rome, and Anatolia, and the Orient. Some of the most famous items in the museum’s collection include the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and the Treaty of Kadesh, the oldest surviving peace treaty in the world.
The second museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, was founded in 1883 and focuses on the ancient civilizations of the Near East, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Hittites. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, including cuneiform tablets, reliefs, and statues.
The third museum, the Tiled Kiosk Museum, was built in the 15th century as a pavilion for the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II. It now houses a collection of Ottoman tiles and ceramics, including rare Iznik tiles and pottery.
Together, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums provide a unique insight into the history and culture of Istanbul and the surrounding region, and are a must-see for anyone interested in ancient history and art.