The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum holds the distinction of being the first museum in Turkey to display a wide collection of Turkish-Islamic art. Housed in the Ibrahim Pasha Palace, a historic building dating back to the 16th century, the museum stands as the sole surviving private palace outside the sultan's residences.
Originally established as the Islamic Foundations Museum in 1914 within the Suleymaniye Mosque Complex, the museum found its current home in the Ibrahim Pasha Palace in 1983. This architectural treasure, located to the west of Sultanahmet Square, is a prime example of Ottoman civil architecture and is located on the ancient hippodrome levels within "Horse Square."
The palace was gifted by Suleiman the Magnificent to his son-in-law and vizier Ibrahim Pasha and features a special design characterized by arches and a central terrace. Visitors can access the first part of the museum via stairs leading from this terrace. Following a restoration in 2012, the museum garnered prestigious awards such as the Special Jury Prize of the Council of Europe Museum of the Year Competition in 1984 and the Council of Europe-UNESCO award for promoting children's appreciation of cultural heritage in 1985.
The museum's exhibits contain rare artifacts from the Abbasid, Mamluk, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, sourced from diverse regions of the Islamic world. Notably, the museum is renowned for its exceptional collection of Turkish carpets, including masterpieces dating as far back as the 13th century. The expansive halls showcase a wealth of Turkish carpets, while the museum also boasts a special miscellany of rare manuscripts, glassware, stone and terracotta artifacts, metalwork, and ceramic objects.
Descending to the lower floor of the carpet section, visitors can explore an ethnography collection that offers insights into Turkish daily life spanning several centuries. Beyond the museum, Sultanahmet Square and its surroundings provide a compelling backdrop for exploration. In particular, the park within the square bursts to life during tulip season, adding vibrancy to the surroundings. The square's centerpiece, the Hippodrome, has witnessed numerous historical events and is home to key landmarks such as the Kaiser Wilhelm (German) Fountain, Theodosius Obelisk, and the Spiral Column, all of which stand as must-see attractions with rich historical significance.