There is another district that harbours two important museums of Istanbul: Tepebası in the Pera (Beyoglu) District. This district is special because it has always symbolised the western way of life for the Ottomans as well as the modern Turks.
Elites in the 1920s in Pera Palace located in Pera District
Its architecture and lifestyle have been the most European part of the city. Due to this fact, all foreign embassies were located here in Pera.
Pera Museum
One of the museums of utmost importance in this part of the city is the Pera Museum. Although it creates the impression that it is a small museum, it harbours one of the most unique pieces of late Ottoman period paintings along with the rare examples of the Turquerie movement. Turquerie movement symbolised the fascination with whatever is Turkish at the end of the 17th century along with the beginning of the 18th century in Europe.
The Paintings from the Turquerie movement – Europeans dressed as Ottomans
If you are interested in the Turquerie movement, consider reading the book: Turquerie: An Eighteenth Century European Fantasy published by Thames and Hudson.
The museum has permanent collections as well as very inspiring temporary collections of local and international artists. It has hosted pieces of art from Giacometti to an extended collection of Osman Hamdi Bey who was one of the first painters of the Ottoman Era.
Istanbul Research Institute
Within five minutes of walk, you can reach Istanbul Research Institute (https://en.iae.org.tr/) which is the sister institute to Pera Museum. The Institute is famous for hosting mind opening exhibitions on Istanbul. The most recent exhibition is ‘Politics and Daily Life in Istanbul.’
Temporary Istanbul Modern Museum
The other important museum in this district is the Istanbul Modern Museum. Istanbul Modern has moved to this part of town due to a construction project that is rebuilding its permanent location. Istanbul Modern is a very important museum for Istanbul as it is the first modern art building in the country established in 2004. It hosts a wide range of art works by the leading contemporary Turkish artists.
Istanbul Modern is expected to open in its new location in Galataport soon so there is very little left in this temporary museum, now.
Koc Museum
One last museum you should not miss is Koç Museum in Kasımpasa which is a 10-minute ride from Tepebası. It is a very unique museum because it harbours a wide range of very interesting collections from antique cars to train wagons, from baby carriages to dolls. It is located by the golden horn and has a very special aura. Don’t miss to visit the French style café across from the main building. The café was “brought” from France by the owners of the museum with all its decorative elements. It is one of the few places you can taste French cuisine in Istanbul.
Aynali Kavak Mansion
Don’t forget to leave this district before you visit one last museum. It is Aynalı Kavak Kasrı which was in fact one of the hunting lodges of Ottoman Sultan Ahmet 3rd during the Tulip Period which was a time of appreciation of art, music and poetry and a relatively peaceful period of the Empire. It is a small hunting lodge with a lovely garden. The original property and garden were huge but unfortunately torn down to the industrialisation. It is a pity that so little has stayed but it is still a blessing that it can give us a glimpse of the past.
Pay attention to the furniture inside the palace. It shows the transitional period between Ottoman’s eastern roots and western aspirations. The armchairs have risen from the ground as Ottoman no longer used couches placed on the ground to recline but not as high as its western examples. The place is named after gigantic mirrors given as presents by the Venetians in order to convince Ottomans from attacks but unfortunately not much has stayed.
