One of the greatest cities of history, Istanbul never fails to impress its visitors. The city mixes and matches several layers of history and culture. It surprises its visitors with an unending energy. However, this year, 2023 is particularly a great time to visit Istanbul, even though you had already done that before! For sure, everybody may have different reasons. My reasons are mostly related with new museums and restored sights that will be open to visitors for the first time in 2023. But for sure, there are more things on the list. So, let’s dive into what you, as a visitor, can expect from Istanbul in 2023:

Celebrations and Events Related With The 100th Anniversary of Turkish Republic

October 29, 2023 will mark the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic. There will be several celebrations, activities, conferences related with this important day. So it may be a good idea to visit Istanbul on this special day to witness celebrations.

Never-Seen-Before Sections within the Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, is one of the most amazing sights to see in Istanbul, even with its current rooms and collections. However, in 2023, we will see the opening of new sections, that visitors were never allowed previously. The list of new and restored sections in Topkapi Palace is quite long:

• The Justice Tower, previously only reserved for the Sultan, will probably provide “the” unmatched panorama of Istanbul from its balcony.
• Apartments of Black Eunuchs, Apartment of Chief Black Eunuch, Dormitory of Concubines and Hospital of Concubines are large sections within Harem, which will be open to visitors for the first time.
• Mecidiye Pavilion, which is dated 1858, is the last building constructed on Topkapi Palace complex. Its European-style decoration can be viewed as a transition to the majestic 19th century Dolmabahce Palace. Mecidiye Pavilion will be opened to public for the first time since its construction.
• The most glamorous part of Topkapi Palace, the Inner Treasury, will be reopened after a long and comprehensive restoration.
• Restoration in the Chamber of the Holy Relics, will be completed, therefore it will be possible to see “The hand of St. John the Baptist”, “The staff of Moses” and “The sword of David” once again.
• A completely redesigned and expanded section dedicated to imperial textiles will be reopened. The section will include Sultan’s clothes as well as clothes of female and children members of the imperial family.

It is expected that all these sections will be opened within the first half of 2023.

New World-Class “Ceramics Museum” Dedicated to The Topkapi Collection

International experts on Chinese porcelains are almost in a consensus that the most noteworthy collection of Chinese porcelains in the world is housed in the Topkapi Palace. It contains more than 10.000 pieces and that makes it the largest collection outside of China. But what makes this collection even more special is that it shows the uninterrupted development of Chinese porcelains from 13th century to early 20th century.

The new museum dedicated to Topkapi’s porcelain collection will display selected pieces from this Chinese works, but also a highly valuable collection of Japanese porcelains, European porcelains and Turkish porcelains.

It is expected that this museum will be opened in the first half of 2023 in the former Mint buildings on the Topkapi Palace Courtyard.

New Museum Dedicated to Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia)

The historic building of Hagia Sophia functioned as a museum between 1935-2020, and it was converted into a functioning mosque once again in 2020. This new museum dedicated to Hagia Sophia, will be housed in a historical building located on the Sultanahmed Square (Hippodrome).

There is not much information about the details of collection to be displayed in this new museum, but it is known that Ottoman Empire inherited a valuable collection of icons (more than 600 pieces), Christian religious art pieces and liturgical objects. Those items have never been on a display before. “Ayasofya Museum” will probably exhibit a selection from this respectable collection.

It is also expected that Ottoman era pieces like book-lecterns, kaftans, calligraphic works will also be exhibited on the new museum. Such items, were used on a daily basis within Ayasofya during the Ottoman period. Finally, it is almost certain that new museum will provide information about the history of the building and some interesting technical details.

A Brand New Museum for the “Istanbul Modern”

Istanbul Modern, the “first” modern art museum in Istanbul, has always been an attraction point for art-lovers since its first opening in 2004. Due to the construction of new city port (Galataport), Istanbul Modern had to move to a temporary location in Beyoglu district. Now, they are almost ready to move back to their original location. The new museum building of Istanbul Modern was designed by Pritzker-awarded architect Renzo Piano. The 6-meter-tall “Runner” sculpture by Tony Cragg was recently installed in front of the museum. It is almost certain that Istanbul Modern will once again elevate the cultural atmosphere in the city.

Istanbul Modern will reopen again within the first quarter of 2023.

Comprehensive Restoration of the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque

Probably the most visited Ottoman mosque in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, which stands beautifully across the Ayasofya. This 17th century mosque has been in restoration for a very long time. Scaffoldings inside were preventing the view of its dome and decorations almost completely. Restorers not only strengthened the structure, but they also cleaned each and every corner. The missing mother-of-pearls on its wooden doors were reinstalled. The vast bronze doors completely cleaned for the first time, allowing sophisticated ornaments to be visible once again. The original 400-year-old pen-work designs were also discovered on the lower layers of the dome.

This highly comprehensive restoration is almost over and it is expected to open in the first quarter of 2023.

Comprehensive Restorations of the Roman City Walls

Only very few visitors of Istanbul properly pay attention to one of the masterpieces of ancient architecture, that is the Theodosian city walls mostly dated back to 5th century. It was the largest and most complex urban defence system of its time and remained impassable until 1453.

Until very recently, the city walls of Istanbul were difficult locations to visit and in the lack of a proper restoration, they were difficult to appreciate. The Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul’s heritage protection department, İBB Miras, is currently executing a very comprehensive restoration work in every sections of “Land Walls”.

The visitor center in Mevlanakapi has already opened and allow visitors to climb up to the top of walls. It is also possible to visit vast vaults which hosts interesting pieces of contemporary Turkish artists.

If there will be no delays due to restoration requirements, it is expected that all of the visitor centers located in every gate of city walls will be ready before the end of 2023.

A New Visitor Center Dedicated to Byzantine Church of St. Polyeuktos

The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Church of St. Polyeuktos was one of the most important churches in Istanbul, before its destruction during the Latin occupation in 13th century. In time, the damaged building turned into a ruin.

Recent restorations by İBB Miras aimed to clear all obstacles from the existing foundations, so that visitors can stroll around them freely to comprehend the size of once “glorious” building. A new visitor center will also provide detailed information about this Byzantine masterpiece.

The facilities may be open to public in later months of 2023.

Opening of Restored “Maiden’s Tower”

“Kız Kulesi” or “Maiden’s Tower” in the middle of Bosporus is one of the most iconic structures of Istanbul. This historic “castle” on the most strategic waterway, was used as a restaurant and observation tower since 2000. Unfortunately, during its transformation into a restaurant, many modification made internally and externally. The current restoration, led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will reinstall the original 19th century form by using the same materials used in the earlier centuries.

Once opened, Maiden’s Tower will be a museum, also providing one of the most beautiful panoramas of Istanbul.

According to the Ministry’s announcement the opening is planned for March 2023.

Is That All?

Actually no, there are still many more cultural and recreational works going on in Istanbul. Some of them were recently completed and opened in the last months of 2022. Some others are in progress and may be concluded in 2023 or 2024.

In another time, in another blog post, we may also discover those other things happening in Istanbul.

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News Sources: Various newspaper articles and news agency press releases on those subjects

Academic Sources & Image Sources: Topkapi Palace Museum, by Bilkent Kültür Girişimi / Ayasofya Müzesi Kültür Envanteri by Haluk Dursun / Personal Image Archieve

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