Istanbul Guide

PERA MUSEUM

NELSON ANTOINE/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

DON’T MISS ¨ ¨ Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Collection ¨ ¨ Temporary exhibi tions on the upper floors ¨ ¨ Kütahya tiles and ceramics on the 1st floor PRACTICALITIES ¨ ¨ Pera Müzesi ¨ ¨ Map p244, A6 ¨ ¨ % 0212-334 9900 ¨ ¨ www.peramuseum.org ¨ ¨ Meşrutiyet Caddesi 65, Tepebaşı ¨ ¨ adult/student/child under 12yr ₺20/10/free ¨ ¨ h 10am-7pm Tue-Thu & Sat, to 10pm Fri, noon 6pm Sun ¨ ¨ m Şişhane, j Tünel

There’s plenty to see at this impressive museum, but the major drawcard is its wonderful exhibition of paintings featuring Turkish Orientalist themes. Drawn from the world-class Kıraç collection, the works provide fascinating glimpses into the Ottoman world from the 17th to 20th centuries and include the most beloved painting in the Turkish canon – Osman Hamdı Bey’s The Tortoise Trainer (1906; pictured). As well as opulent portraits of sultans, courtiers and ambassadors, there are quaint scenes of old Stamboul and plenty of depictions of life in the Ottoman harem. After enjoying these, you can choose to head to the upper floors to see high-profile temporary exhibitions (past ex hibitions have showcased Warhol, de Chirico, Picasso and Botero), or make your way downstairs to the permanent exhibits on Kütahya tiles and ceramics, as well as Anato lian weights and measures. Students are given free entry to the museum every Wednesday, and all visitors are given free entry from 6pm to 10pm on Friday. Many museum-goers pop in to the comfortable Pera Café (p 134) on the ground floor for coffee and cake, a light lunch or a glass of wine during or after their visit.