NEW MUSEUM ON THE BOSPHORUS Hidden treasure of Istanbul History emerges where you least expect it, as can be seen at the Zeytinburn Mosaic Museum, representing one of the largest mosaic sites beyond the historic city walls T he mosaics adorning an- cient floors and walls are far more than deco- rative elements. Apart from showing mytholog- ical scenes, they also provide valua- ble insight into the social life of their time and bring the past back to life through stone and paint. As a coun- try that has hosted numerous civili- sations over the millennia, Turkiye is home to some of the world’s most beautiful examples of mosaics, and this extraordinary heritage can now be discovered at the heart of Istanbul, in the city’s newest museum.
Located within the Kazlıçeşme Arts Centre that’s housed in the building of a former military hospital, the Zeytinbur- nu Mosaic Museum is a must-see des- tination in Istanbul for lovers of cul- ture. The distinctive mosaics exhibited in the museum were discovered during a 2015 restoration of the building, at a depth of approximately 1.5 metres be- low the surface. Following their discov- ery, the mosaics were immediately placed under protection and conserved. Due to the assumption that the geometric mo- saic patterns observed on the floor of the building extend beyond the structure it- self, trial archaeological excavations were launched in 2019, under the supervision of Istanbul Archaeological Museums. Within this beautifully restored red brick museum building that dates back to the Ottoman period, visitors to Is- tanbul’s Zeytinburnu district are greet- ed by vast mosaic surfaces in all their glo- ry. On raised glass walkways installed above the original mosaics, which were made using the “opus tessellatum” tech- nique, you can admire this art of the late Roman/early Byzantine period. The mul- ticoloured mosaics, created in the 4 th and 5 th centuries AD and believed to have been part of a local Roman villa, display a stunning array of ornaments: from ge- ometric motifs and stars to complex pol- ygon compositions and floral decora- tions. As you wander the world of these elegant patterns, you discover the aes- thetics and stories of the time, embark- ing on a journey through Istanbul’s lay- ered history. The Mosaic Museum isn’t just an ar- chaeological site. With its own library, ex- hibition halls and other spaces designed for cultural activities, it represents a ver- satile centre that invigorates the cultural life of this neighbourhood. As such, after touring the mosaics and fascinating exhi- bitions, be sure to explore the rest of the complex. The museum is open every day, except Mondays, from 10am to 6pm.
Mermerni sarkofag, grobnica od opeke i ljudski ostaci povezani s ovim strukturama spadaju među najintrigantnije eksponate ovog muzeja The marble sarcophagus, brick tomb and human remains associated with these structures are among this museum’s most intriguing exhibits
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