Guide to Istanbul Museums & Exhibitions
from Istanbul Holiday Apartments

The 12th Istanbul Biennial
Until November 13
Untitled
This year's Biennial explores the rich relationship between art and politics,
focusing on artworks that are both formally innovative and politically outspoken.
Major themes are war, revolution and social upheaval.
Curated by Adriano Pedrosa and Jens Hoffmann, the show
is composed of five group exhibitions and more than 50 solo presentations,
with a total of more than 500 works.

Antrepo 3 and 5 in Tophane
(take the tramway to the Tophane stop)
Converted warehouses next to the Istanbul Modern on the Bosphorus
Open Tuesday- Sunday, 10-19: Thursdays  until 22. Closed on Mondays.

Istanbul Modern Museum
Tophane/Salıpazarı along the Bosphorus (within walking distance)
Privately owned museum devoted to modern Turkish painting and photography.
Permanent painting exhibition is worth a look.

Until January 22
Dream and Reality– Modern and Contemporary Women Artists from Turkey

The exhibition centers on the position of women artists in modern and contemporary art,
offering a new, alternative perspective on the sociocultural history of Turkey.

The Modern has an excellent albeit expensive café/restaurant with terrace
and superlative view (unless a cruise ship blocks it)
that can be accessed from its own staircase. Highly recommended.
Open 10 am -12 midnight Monday-Saturdays & 10 am- 6 pm Sundays.

Sabanci Museum
Atlı Köşk – Emirgan

Until December 31
Sophie Calle: For the Last and First Time

Running concurrently with the Istanbul Biennial, this show by
the renowned contemporary French artist focuses on Istanbul,
exploring the last “visions” of people who are visually handicapped
and the “inhabitants of Istanbul who have never seen the sea”.

Out along the Bosphorus in a beautiful setting, the former mansion of one of Turkey’s richest
industrialists has been transformed into a fine art museum with a good permanent collection
of Turkish paintings and calligraphy and an active special exhibition program.
Go by ferry or bus to Emirgan.
In the museum, MuzeChanga, one of the best restaurants in Istanbul
serves inventive, original dishes in a very appealing setting with a terrace
looking over the gardens to the Bosphorus. Expensive.
Open everyday (except Mondays) 10 - 19; Sundays 12-18

Pera Museum
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No 141, Tepebaşı (within walking distance)
Open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10-19 and 10-18 on Sundays.
Closed Mondays.

15 October 2011 - 8 January 2012
Osman Hamdi Bey and The Americans
Archaeology, Diplomacy, Art

Based on the intersecting lives of painter, archaeologist and museologist Osman Hamdi Bey and
American archaeologist and photographer John Henry Haynes, as well as Prof. Hermann Vollrath
Hilprecht, the exhibition, focuses on the first excavations American archaeologists conducted in
Ottoman lands -Assos and Nippur- and the diplomatic relations between the two countries,
showcasing a rich selection of paintings by Osman Hamdi Bey, archaeological photographs and
drawings from the 19th century, letters, travel journals, and archaeological artifacts.

A privately owned museum with an impressive 19th  century facade, the Pera
also houses a collection of Turkish and Orientalist paintings, ceramics and weights & measures.
Tearoom without windows that serves sandwiches, salads & pasta dishes on the weekends.
Close by the pleasant Istanbul Culinary Institute resturant
serves interesting takes on classic Turkish dishes at reasonable prices.

Topkapı Palace Museum
Easiest to walk up from Gulhane tramway stop.

Sacred Trusts
A beautiful and moving exhibit of a variety of religious relics and objects
in a stunning suite of tiled domed rooms with live religious music.

The newly reorganized and reinstalled Treasury section has excellent explanations
and labels for a collection of breathtaking objects & jewels.
The Harem exhibits, alas, have not been improved yet but at least
you don't have to be herded through with a guided group any more.

In the lower gardens, Konyali Restaurant serves traditional Turkish food.
Not a bargain though. Konyali also has a very upscale restaurant in Kanyon shopping center.
In the first courtyard next to Haghia Irini is the first-class Karakol
with tables outside on the lawn and pretty, high-ceiling rooms inside the restored 19th century
police station, serving inventive gourmet fare.
Be prepared to splurge though; a meal for two will run close to $100.

Istanbul Archeology Museums
Take the tramway to Gulhane, enter the park walls and walk up
Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu towards Topkapi Palace.

In the Light of Day: 8000 Years of Istanbul
Fascinating exhibit of recent finds from as early as 6000 BC through the Ottoman era,
including the fabulous discovery of the lost Byzantine harbor at Yenikapı
and numerous wooden boats dating from 1000 AD.

The grand 19th century Archeology Museums are arranged around a
beautiful courtyard with a simple cafe.
A lovely place to sit and ponder antiquity.
Open 9-5 but last entrance is at 4. Closed on Mondays


Sadberk Hanim Museum
Piyasa Cad. No: 27- 29 Büyükdere

18 November 2011–15 April 2012
Images in Terracotta   
Greek and Roman period terracotta figurines

Valuable  archaeological and ethnographic collections
housed in 19th century wooden mansions on the Bosphorus.
Excellent collection of Iznik ceramics.  Open 10-5. Closed Wednesdays.
Try going by ferryboat from Eminönü to Sariyer
to escape heavy traffic on the coastal road.

Santralistanbul
The Golden Horn-Beyoglu shore
The first Ottoman power plant complex has been refurbished as an art & cultural center.
Kids will have a blast at the Energy Museum,
walking around the giant turbines and playing with the cool-looking retro gauges.
Two cafe/restaurants --Otto and Tamirhane
. Extensive gardens make it a good place for lively children.

Until January 15
Climate Change: The Threat to Life and A New Energy Future

From the American National History Museum of New York, this exhibition
addresses visitors of all age and presents the effects of the climate change for future generation.

Open 10-10 Tuesday through Sunday.
Shuttles leave every 20 minutes from Ataturk Cultural Center at Taksim.
Located beyond the Rahmi Koc Museum & Miniaturk so don't go through Eyup.

Rahmi Koç Museum
Sütlüce on the Golden Horn
Eclectic, well-displayed collections related to industry and technology
with many hands-on activities for children. Lots of fun!
The Museum has a wonderful setting on the Golden Horn and two good
although rather pricey restaurants: the cozy Café du Levent for a Parisian feel and
Halat for a superb terrace on the Golden Horn.  
10-5 Tuesdays-Friday; 10-7 Weekends. Closed Mondays.
Can be reached by taxi or Sishane-Alibeykoy minibus.


Rezan Has Museum
Kadir Has University  , Cibali on the Golden Horn
Open 9-6 everyday

Directly across the Ataturk Bridge from Galata on the road to Eyup.
The Rezan Has Museum is built over an 11th century Byzantine Cistern
now used to house a collection of small archeological objects.