Istanbul Modern Art Museum is one of the most visited museums in Istanbul with its eye-catching artworks and excellent location. You can find information about the history and collections of the museum in this article. In addition, Istanbul Modern Art Museum entrance fee and opening hours are also noted.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum is located in Karakoy neighborhood. Karakoy, which is home to Istanbul Cruise Port (Galataport), is very close to important tourist attractions such as Taksim Square and Galata Tower. It is possible to reach Karakoy in 10 minutes by tram from Sultanahmet, where Hagia Sophia is located.
Istanbul Modern fascinates its visitors with its art collections and offers a magnificent view of the Bosphorus with its restaurant. For this reason, it is among the must-see places for those who come to Istanbul for 2 or 3 days.
History of the Istanbul Modern
The history of the Istanbul Modern Art Museum goes back to 2004. Although it is a relatively new museum, Istanbul Modern has managed to become one of the most popular museums in the city in a short time.
Istanbul Modern Museum was founded by the Eczacibasi group, one of Turkey’s leading families. The family, who founded a cultural initiative called IKSV, has organized many arts-related organizations for many years. The annual events such as Filmekimi (Film Festival in October) and the Istanbul Biennial are organized by the IKSV.
The building that houses the Istanbul Modern Museum was actually a warehouse. The building where dry goods unloaded from cargo ships were stored was turned into a museum in 2004.
The building, which was redesigned with a successful restoration, was a warehouse where nobody even knew its location. It is a great development that such a place is now a museum and inspires hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Visiting temporary exhibitions at Istanbul Modern and eating at the museum’s café with a view of the Bosphorus is a popular activity for Istanbulites. After Istanbul Modern, you can also visit Salt Galata located in Karakoy and take your cultural experience further.
What to See at Istanbul Modern Art Museum?
There are temporary and permanent exhibitions to be seen at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. In addition, the false ceiling designed by Richard Wentworth is among the most famous works of the museum.
1. The Permanent Collection
The permanent collection is located on the ground floor of the museum. The permanent exhibition hall spreads over a wide area and promises a comfortable visit. Works of art produced in Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century until today, can be seen along with descriptive texts and videos.
Visitors are literally witnessing the transformation of Turkey’s modern and contemporary art up to the present from the past. In this section, it is possible to see the works of some painters from the late Ottoman period.
2. The Temporary Exhibitions
The Temporary Exhibitions are an important reason to visit Istanbul Modern more than once. Because modern art is newly discovered in Turkey and it is possible to experience the latest works of this trend in the museum’s short-term exhibitions.
Since the short-term exhibitions and the photo gallery are located on the same floor, you can visit them one after the other. In the Photo Gallery, the development of photography in the world over time is on display. In addition, exhibitions organized by local and foreign photographers take place in this part of the museum.
3. The False Ceiling
The False Ceiling is one of the most interesting works of Istanbul Modern. You can see the False Ceiling, designed by Richard Wentworth, as you move from the short-term exhibition hall to the library.
This artwork, which was created by hanging hundreds of books on the ceiling, was exhibited at the 4th Istanbul Biennial in 1995 and attracted great attention. When switching between the museum’s exhibitions, you may encounter many surprises like this one designed for art lovers.
4. Istanbul Modern Cafe & Restaurant
Istanbul Modern Cafe & Restaurant is located within the museum. It is possible to say that the restaurant, which has a view of the Bosphorus, has quite delicious dishes. You can also enjoy a gastronomic experience in this art-filled atmosphere.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum Entrance Fee 2022
Istanbul Modern Art Museum entrance fee is 72 Turkish Lira per person as of 2022. Museum tickets are sold at a discounted price of 54 Lira for students and visitors over the age of 65. Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid for this museum.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum Opening Hours 2022
Istanbul Modern Art Museum opening hours are between 10:00 in the morning and 18:00 in the evening. On Thursdays it is open until 20:00 in the late evening. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Visiting hours of museums in Istanbul may change due to various national holidays, restorations and organizations. For this reason, I recommend you to visit the official site of the museum before you go.
How to Get to Istanbul Modern?
In order to get to Istanbul Modern Art Museum from Taksim Square, you can take Funicular F1 to Kabatas. The museum is located only a 10-minute walk from Kabatas Tram Station. If you want to arrive faster, you can also take the tram.
You can take the T1 tram to go to Istanbul Modern Art Museum from Sultanahmet. After getting on the tram that goes in the direction of Kabatas, you can get off at Findikli stop in about 15 minutes and you can reach the museum in a few minutes on foot.
The museum is easily accessible on foot from Karakoy, Cihangir and Galata, which are the most popular places to stay in Istanbul.
Istanbul Modern Moved Temporarily!
Istanbul Modern moved temporarily due to the construction of Istanbul Cruise Port. The museum will be serving in a historical apartment on Mesrutiyet Street, one of the most popular streets of Beyoglu for a while.
Mesrutiyet Street is home to famous hotels such as Pera Palace and Soho House (former American Consulate building). Also, Mikla, one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, is right next to the museum.
After Galataport’s construction is completed, the museum is planned to return to Karakoy in 2022. For this reason, before visiting the museum, you can visit the official site of the museum and check the latest situation from the link I shared on the top lines.
Written by Serhat Engul
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