Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top Sights
İstanbul Modern
In recent years İstanbul's contemporary art scene has
boomed. Facilitated by the active cultural philanthropy of
the country's industrial dynasties - many of which have
built extraordinary arts collections - museum buildings are
opening nearly as often as art exhibitions. İstanbul Modern
Sanat Müzesi, funded by the Eczcıbaşı family, is the big
daddy of them all. Opened with great fanfare in 2005, this
huge converted shipping terminal has a stunning location
right on the shores of the Bosphorus at Tophane and is easily accessed by tram from Sulta-
nahmet.
OFFLINE MAP
Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, Tophane
adult/student/under 12yr 15/8/free
10am-6pm Tue, Wed & Fri-
Sun, to 8pm Thu
Tophane
Don't Miss
Downstairs Galleries
The permanent exhibition upstairs is interesting, but the real drawcards at this gallery are
the temporary exhibitions on the ground floor. Check out what is showing in the main tem-
porary gallery (it's always good), the photography gallery and the pop-up exhibition
spaces.
False Ceiling
A visually arresting work by Richard Wentworth, this installation of Turkish and Western
books floating overhead plays with ideas of cultural closeness and difference. Created
between 1995 and 2005, it dominates the central space downstairs.
Permanent Collection
The Eczcıbaşı family's collection of works by prominent 20th-century Turkish artists is
showcased on the entrance floor, offering an insight into the country's modern art from its
beginnings to the present day. Also on this floor is a small space with pieces by high-pro-
