Rezan Has Museum: a Byzantine cistern and city walls on the Golden Horn
- Museums and palaces
- Cibali, Fatih (Golden Horn shore)
- Free
Family hotels closest to Rezan Has Museum
Visitor information
| Type | Archaeology and art museum (university museum) |
|---|---|
| Built | Building 1884 (Cibali Tobacco Factory); museum 2007 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Kadir Has University |
| Neighbourhood | Cibali, Fatih (Golden Horn shore) |
| Opening hours | Open during the day; see the museum’s website for closing days and the exhibition calendar |
| Admission | Entry is usually free; some special exhibitions may differ. |
| Time needed | 45 min – 1 hour |
| Getting there | T5 tram Cibali stop, 3 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | 3.1 km; a long walk, public transport recommended |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. The ground floor is easy; stairs lead down to the cistern in the basement |
| Best time | At the start of a visit to Fener and Balat |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
From tobacco factory to university museum
The Cibali Tobacco Factory was founded in 1884 by the Régie (the Ottoman tobacco monopoly) and continued processing tobacco for many years in the Republican period. The story of the women who worked in the factory holds an important place in Istanbul’s social history. The building was restored in the 1990s and given to Kadir Has University; the restoration won a Europa Nostra award. The museum opened in 2007.
What to see
- Byzantine cistern: Beneath the foundations of the building, a brick-vaulted cistern can be visited.
- Golden Horn walls: A section of the Byzantine sea walls lies inside the building.
- Rezan Has collection: Ceramics, metalwork, glass and jewellery from Anatolia and Mesopotamia.
- Temporary exhibitions: Changing exhibitions on archaeology, history and art.
A starting point for a Fener and Balat walk
The museum is within walking distance of the streets of Fener and Balat on the Golden Horn. Seeing the museum in the morning and then walking along the shore to Fener makes a half-day full of colourful houses and historic buildings. The park areas on the shore are good for a break with children.
Visiting tips
- The exhibition calendar changes often; check the museum’s website before you go.
- The cistern section is cool; it makes a good break in summer.
- You can easily reach Cibali by walking from Sultanahmet to Eminönü and taking the T5 tram.
Our family hotels near Rezan Has 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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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Rezan Has Museum: 45 min walk (3.2 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Rezan Has Museum: 46 min walk (3.2 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Rezan Has Museum: 46 min walk (3.2 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Rezan Has Museum: 46 min walk (3.2 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for the Rezan Has Museum?
Entry to the museum is usually free. Special exhibitions may be handled differently, so check the museum’s website.
How do you get to the Rezan Has Museum?
Take the T5 tram from Eminönü and get off at the Cibali stop; the museum is a 3-minute walk from the stop.
