Great Palace Mosaics Museum
The floor of the Byzantine imperial palace — early Byzantine mosaics beneath the Arasta.
From Meşale Restaurant & Cafe to Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Why visit?
Sultanahmet's hidden treasure — most visitors have no idea it is there. The 1,500-year-old Byzantine mosaics, with their hunting and mythology scenes, are dazzling. While you are shopping in the Arasta Bazaar, head downstairs.
Short History
The mosaics were uncovered in excavations around the Arasta Bazaar carried out by the University of St Andrews in Scotland (1935–1938 and 1951–1954). Between 1983 and 1997 the Austrian Academy of Sciences studied and conserved them. Experts do not agree on the dating: some researchers point to the reign of Justinian I (527–565), others to a later date.
About
Beneath the Arasta Bazaar, the Great Palace Mosaic Museum displays early Byzantine floor mosaics from the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire. Uncovered in two separate excavation campaigns during the 20th century, they rank among the most important works of Byzantine art, with rich compositions of hunting scenes, mythological figures and daily life.
It is underneath the Arasta Bazaar — most visitors walk through the bazaar without ever going in. It is well worth 15–20 min. Closed on Mondays.
What to know before visiting
Photo spots
Mosaic details
Close-ups of the animal and mythology scenes
The floor as a whole
A wide-angle view of the mosaics
How to get here from Meşale
From Meşale 100 m (2 minutes)
T1 tram — Sultanahmet stop
No parking. Reached on foot.
Your map app calculates the time from live traffic, so we don't print a fixed figure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The museum closes one day a week — usually Monday. We suggest confirming with the official source before you set out.
The museum is beneath the bazaar and has its own separate entrance.
Visit Information
- From Meşale
- 2 min (100 m)
- Visit duration
- 30–45 min
- Hours
- Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00 (closed Monday)
- Ticket
- Paid · Museum Pass valid
- Best time
- Any time — usually quiet
- Busy
- Low
- Accessible
- Yes
- Family Friendly
- Yes
Highlights
- Early Byzantine mosaics
- Animal hunting scenes
- Mythological figures
- A hidden treasure
Tags
Nearby places
Source & Freshness
- Last checked:
- September 4, 2026
Hours and prices are for guidance only. Please confirm with an official source before your visit.