Great Palace Mosaics Museum which is located in Arasta Bazaar (the touristic bazaar next to the Blue Mosque) serves as a museum since 1953.
In the 1950s, a group of archaeologists from the University of St Andrews (Scotland) discovered an amazing mosaic pavement from early Byzantine times near around the Blue Mosque. These mosaics belonged to the Great Palace which was built in 330 by Roman Emperor Constantine I and has been a home for Byzantine Emperors from the 4th to the 11th century. In the 6th century, Justinianus I covered the floor with these mosaics that are currently displayed in the museum. Unfortunately, now there are only a few remnants from the Great Palace including these beautiful mosaics.
It is estimated that the pavement was 4,000 m² at that time. Now the remaining 250 m² is preserved in the museum. The mosaics are covered with stunning pictures of hunting, rural life, children, and mythological scenes.
While some tourist guides and many travelers downplay the importance of the museum, it is interesting for the scenes displayed on the mosaics.
Admission: Approximately 300 TL. Museum Pass Istanbul is accepted. Free admission for children under 12 and Turkish citizens over 65.
Opening Hours: Open daily 09:00–17:30 (summer), 09:00–16:30 (winter). Closed Mondays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons (13:00–15:00) are quietest. The museum is small, plan 30-45 minutes. Combine with a visit to the Blue Mosque and Arasta Bazaar.
Getting there: Walking distance from everywhere in Sultanahmet. Take T1 tram to Sultanahmet stop, walk through the Blue Mosque courtyard, then down to Arasta Bazaar (5 minutes). From Taksim, take funicular to Kabataş, then T1 tram to Sultanahmet.
Photography: Allowed without flash. The mosaics are best photographed in natural light, visit on a sunny day between 11:00–15:00.
The Great Palace of Constantinople (also known as the Sacred Palace) was the imperial residence of Byzantine emperors for nearly 800 years. It covered over 100,000 m² and included gardens, courtyards, churches, and administrative buildings.
Notable mosaic scenes: An elephant with a mahout (Indian rider), two griffins tearing a lizard, a boy feeding a donkey, and pastoral scenes with shepherds and animals. The level of detail and the range of colors are remarkable even after 1,500 years.
Arasta Bazaar (Mosaic Museum inside) on Istanbul Map