Great Palace Mosaic Museum: the floor mosaics of the Byzantine palace
- Museums and palaces
- Arasta Bazaar, Sultanahmet
- Paid
Family hotels closest to Mosaic Museum
Visitor information
| Type | Museum of Byzantine floor mosaics |
|---|---|
| Built | Mosaics 5th–6th century; museum 1953 |
| Neighbourhood | Arasta Bazaar, Sultanahmet |
| Opening hours | Opens daily at 9 am; closing time changes with the season (later in summer) |
| Admission | Paid; the Müzekart is accepted. Current prices are on the official ticket website. |
| Müzekart (Turkish museum card) | Accepted |
| Time needed | 30–45 min |
| Getting there | T1 Sultanahmet stop, 7 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 6 min walk (410 m) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. The entrance is in the Arasta Bazaar; inside there is a ramp and a few steps |
| Best time | Straight after visiting the Blue Mosque |
| Official website | muze.gov.tr (resmî bilet sitesi) |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
Where do the mosaics come from?
The area that now lies between the Blue Mosque and the sea was, in Byzantine times, the site of the Great Palace (Palatium Magnum) where the emperors lived. Excavations in the 1930s and 1950s uncovered the mosaics that covered the floor of the palace’s colonnaded courtyard. The mosaics date from between the late 5th and the mid-6th century. The museum opened in 1953; between 1983 and 1997 the mosaics were lifted, consolidated and relaid in a major conservation project.
Which scenes can you see?
- Animal scenes such as an elephant fighting a lion, an eagle wrestling a snake and a winged griffin
- Scenes of daily life such as children rolling hoops and riding a camel, and a shepherd milking a goat
- The famous mosaic border showing a moustached man’s head framed by acanthus leaves
- Hunters throwing spears at a tiger, and hunting scenes on horseback
The mosaics are made by skilfully setting small pieces of stone and glass (tesserae); seen up close, the colour transitions between the pieces are very impressive.
A mosaic hunt with children
Because the museum is small and quick to visit, it is very suitable for children. Giving children a little task at the entrance, “find the elephant, the camel, the griffin and the man with the moustache”, turns the visit into a game. After the museum you can stroll through the Arasta Bazaar and return to the courtyard of the Blue Mosque.
Visiting tips
- The museum entrance is in the middle of the Arasta Bazaar; look carefully between the shops so you do not miss the sign.
- It is cool inside; it makes a good break at midday in summer.
- If the queues for Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are long, visit this museum first.
Our family hotels near Mosaic Museum
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Mosaic Museum: 9 min walk (600 m) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Mosaic Museum: 9 min walk (640 m) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Mosaic Museum: 9 min walk (650 m) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Mosaic Museum: 9 min walk (650 m) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mosaic Museum suitable for children?
Yes. The museum is small, can be seen in 30–45 minutes, and its animal, hunting and play scenes capture children’s interest.
Where is the entrance to the Great Palace Mosaic Museum?
You enter through the Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque. It is about a 7-minute walk from the T1 Sultanahmet stop.
