Of all the museums in the old city, this is the one that stays quiet. The Istanbul Archaeological Museums sit next to Topkapi and hold over a million objects, yet queues almost never form at the door.
Go for the Alexander Sarcophagus. Carved in Sidon in the fourth century BC, its battle reliefs still carry traces of paint, and standing in front of it is the closest most people come to seeing antiquity in colour. The Kadesh Treaty tablet in the same building records a peace made in 1259 BC.
Cool halls, benches, and a shaded courtyard make it a good refuge in summer. Closed Mondays.
From Romance Istanbul Hotel it is a ten-minute walk through Gulhane Park.
Category:
History