Istanbul Archaeological Museums is a cultural mosaic among the few archaeological museums in the world. The building, which was first established by order of Sultan Abdul Aziz and named the Hümâyun Museum under the management of Osman Hamdi Bey, became one of the most prestigious archaeological museums in the world.
Osman Hamdi Bey, a painter, archaeologist and bureaucrat, exhibited numerous works in the geography of Anatolia and exhibited them in the museum collection. Consisting of the three main sections of the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Oriental Art and the Museum of Chinese Mansion, this museum hosts visitors from all over the world in the shadow of the valuable works in the collection.
One of the brilliant works kept in the Istanbul Archaeological Museums is the Kadesh Peace Pact. The tablet, the written text of the treaty between Ramses II of Pharaoh of Egypt and Hatoshili III of Hittite King in the 13th century BC, was discovered in 1906 during archaeological excavations in Bogazkoy. This text, which is the oldest written treaty discovered in the world, is extremely important from the point of view of history. The original tablet, made of mud, is on display at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum and an enlarged copy is housed in the United Nations building in New York.
The tombstone of Alexander, believed to belong to King Abdalimus of Sidon, is housed in an institution that hosts unique cultural assets that have left their mark on world history. It is estimated that this cultural work, which takes its name from the image of Alexander the Great on its long side, dates back to the fourth century BC, the Hellenistic period. On the long side, the reliefs depicting the reconstruction of Alexander the Great's war against the Persians have an epic appearance with their precise structure and skillful craftsmanship. Discovered by Uthman Hamdi Bey in 1887 during archeological excavations, it is the largest Lahdi stone ever found. With a length of more than three meters and a height of more than two meters with a triangular shape and a roof covering, this work clearly reveals the concept of aristocracy of that period.
In the collection of this museum, the highlight of the cultural work of Babylon Gate, which is world famous, can also be seen. These reliefs, which are pieces of the 12-meter giant door at the entrance to the old city of Babylon, belong to the year 575 BC. Made of brick, these works are among the most important cultural artifacts dedicated to the goddess Ishtar by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon. Hence, on these reliefs, also known as the Ishtar Gate, there are animals such as lions, dragons and bulls. Discovered by German archaeologists in 1900, this monument is extremely important in showing the magnificence of Eastern civilizations.
Istanbul Archaeological Museums have exhibited valuable historical and cultural artifacts that have rewritten history. Located among the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, this institute is waiting to welcome lovers of history and art.