Turkish Islamic Art Museum

This first museum encompassing both Turkish and Islamic artifacts was established within the organizational structure of the Suleymaniye Kulliya (which means cultural and religiouscomplex) in 1914. The museum was moved to Ibrahim Pasha Palace, which was built in the 16th century, in 1983. Ibrahim Pasha, Greek by birth, was the childhood friend and first Grand vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent. Ibrahim Pasha, who married Suleyman's sister, was the first of a chain of "bridegroom" administrators, a system that was traditionalized later during the Ottoman Empire. The most unique characteristic of Ibrahim Pasha's Palace is that it is the only personally owned palace, other than the sultans' palaces. The palace building arises over arches and encircles the central terrace in three directions. In the galleries, pieces of art that come from all over the Muslim world are exhibited. This collection comprised of artifacts from many different fields of art, such as stone and terracotta, metal and ceramic objects, glass works and hand-writing books, has the most extensive inventory among museums of its kind.The hand-made Turkish carpets, dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries, specifically attract many visitors to the museum.