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Top Rated Attractions in Istanbul

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Pera Müzesi

The Pera Museum was founded in 2005 as an initiative by the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation. Located in what was formerly Hotel Bristol, the refurbished space retains it Ottoman Greek architecture. It houses three permanent collections and a myriad of rotating exhibitions as a platform for emerging and established artists. Endowed by the industrialist Rahmi Koc and his descendants, it is a treasure trove of the wealthy family's inventory of culturally-significant Turkish works. It features handwritten Ottoman-era publications, Byzantine works, and a stunning book selection. With a host of cultural events and collaborations, this is a great place to soak in the country's culture.

Hagia Sophia

The magnificent Hagia Sophia was built at the behest of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 BCE, then known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom. A remarkable testament to the ingenuity of the Byzantine architects, the Hagia Sophia was built upon a design that was rather unique for its time. The Turkish conquest of Constantinople marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Hagia Sophia. Re-purposed by Mehmed II to be used as a mosque, its gold mosaics and frescoes were painted over with Islamic motifs and patterns. A few of these have since been uncovered, preserved for centuries beneath layers of plaster. The emperor also added minarets and added massive discs bearing Arabic calligraphy to the grand scheme. Secularized by President Kemal Atatürk and converted into a museum in 1935, the Hagia Sophia is an ode to both the Byzantine and Ottoman penchant for art and architecture.

Topkapı Palace

Resting on a peninsular hilltop in Istanbul with sweeping views of the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus strait, the grand Topkapı Sarayı was once the exalted seat of the Ottoman sultans. The palatial structure was built at the behest of Sultan Mehmet II in 1453, in the wake of the Conquest of Constantinople. From the 15th to the 19th Century, the palace was the cornerstone of the Ottoman Empire, until its gradual decline in the later years, when its power was relinquished to the newer Dolmabahce Palace on the Turkish waterfront. As is the case with any palatial residence, the Topkapi also underwent a slew of additions and renovations as various sultans reigned over the city over a 400-year-old span, but the core architectural form of the palace remained predominantly Middle Eastern. When the sun set on the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the palace was promptly converted into a museum by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The essence of this bygone empire still lingers in various corners of the palace's chambers, its treasury, and its imperial harems. Several items from the peak of the Ottoman Empire adorn the museum today, from illuminated manuscripts and age-old weaponry, to diamonds and intricate miniatures. The Topkapı Sarayı Museum is part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

Rahmi M. Koç Museum

Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a great place to learn about the history of communications, transport, and industry. It's located on the shores of the Golden Horn and showcases research and engineering objects used throughout history. Items on display here are from around the world, and visitors will learn interesting tidbits about this rich subject. The museum has a tearoom, shop, pub, and restaurant on site.

The Museum of Innocence

A truly unique museum experience, Masumiyet Muzesi (The Museum of Innocence) is based on the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author Orhan Pamuk's book by the same name. In the novel, the main character collects artifacts from the time he spent with an unrequited love starting in 1975 and creates a "museum of innocence." At the real museum, there are artifacts from the novel's time period, as well as objects described in the novel, blurring the lines between history and art. Copies of the novel were printed with tickets to the museum in the back of and you can use it as a ticket to the actual museum.

Galeri Apel

If fine arts is to your liking, the Galeri Apel is a must visit for you. The gallery opened its doors in the year 1998 and has been a home of several renowned artworks by renowned artists. Besides its permanent exhibits, the gallery has temporary exhibitions that display rare works by artists. You will get to see the works by the likes of Sermet Elci. To know about the current exhibitions here, check the website.

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