Discover the Rezan Has Museum in Istanbul: A Hidden Gem on the Golden Horn [2025]
If you are looking for a museum in Istanbul that beautifully combines archaeology, industrial heritage, and a unique historic setting, the Rezan Has Museum is a must-visit. Nestled inside the campus of Kadir Has University in Cibali, on the northern shore of the Golden Horn, the museum offers an unforgettable journey through thousands of years of history. Visitors are treated not only to remarkable collections of artifacts but also to the experience of exploring an atmospheric Byzantine cistern hidden beneath a 19th-century tobacco factory.
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Visitor Information of Rezan Has Museum
- 🕘 Opening Hours: The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. It is closed on January 1 and the first day of religious holidays.
- 🎟️ Ticket Prices: Adults – 150 TL, Discounts – 75 TL. Free entry for select groups, such as students on Thursdays, MMKD members, and Museum Card+ holders (one free entry per year). Museum Card+ holders also benefit from additional discounts on publications.
- 📍 Location: Kadir Has University, Cibali Mah. Kadir Has Cad. 34083 Fatih, Istanbul.
- 🚇 Getting There:
- 🚋 By Tram: Take the T5 line to Cibali Station, which is directly across from the entrance.
- 🚈 By Metro: Ride the M2 line to Haliç Station, followed by a scenic 10-minute walk along the Golden Horn.
- 🚌 By Bus: Numerous routes stop at Unkapanı/Kadir Has University, making it easily accessible.
- ⛴️ By Ferry: Travel to Eminönü by ferry and connect via tram or bus.
- ♿ Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps, lifts, and seating areas throughout the museum.
- ☕ Facilities: Visitors will find on-site restrooms, a small gift area, and a campus café. Because the museum is inside a university campus, visitors may be asked to present an ID at the entrance gate.
Exhibitions and Collections in Rezan Has Museum
The Rezan Has Museum preserves and showcases over 9,000 years of history, presenting artifacts in a unique architectural setting. Exhibits are displayed within an 11th-century Byzantine cistern, creating a striking and memorable atmosphere.
- 🏺 Archaeology of Daily Life: A wide-ranging exhibition that explores everyday life from 6500 B.C. to 1300 A.D., highlighting the cultural and social evolution of Anatolia and Byzantium. Artifacts include household objects, tools, and inscriptions that bring ancient communities to life.
- 🔱 Urartian Belts: One of the world’s most impressive Urartian collections. Visitors can admire 74 bronze belts and fragments, including an extraordinary 7th-century BCE belt decorated with detailed hunting scenes and mythological imagery.
- 📜 Whispers of Extinct Languages: An evocative exhibition exploring the origins of writing and language in Anatolia. Through inscriptions, cuneiform tablets, and other relics, visitors gain insight into how ancient civilizations communicated and left their marks on history.
- 🏭 Cibali Tobacco Factory: An exhibition dedicated to the industrial and social history of the building itself. Original machines, tools, photographs, and documents vividly tell the story of the tobacco factory, which employed generations of Istanbul residents, including many women.
- 👩🦰 Goddess and Female Figurines: A thought-provoking selection of figurines and statues that highlight representations of female figures, fertility symbols, and deities, spanning from the Neolithic period through Roman times.
The museum’s cistern is a highlight in its own right. With its stone arches and columns dramatically illuminated, it offers a captivating backdrop for the collections, making each display feel like a journey into another world.
History and Significance of Rezan Has Museum
The Rezan Has Museum opened its doors in 2007, named after Rezan Has, wife of renowned philanthropist Kadir Has. The museum was established as part of Kadir Has University’s mission to preserve history while fostering education and culture.
The museum is located in what was once the Cibali Tobacco Factory, built in 1884 by architect Alexandre Vallaury. This factory played an important role in the Ottoman Empire’s industrial landscape, operating for more than a century before being restored into the modern university campus. The transformation project was so significant that it won a European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage.
Visitors can also explore the preserved Byzantine cistern, built in the 11th century, and remnants of a 17th-century Ottoman structure. The juxtaposition of Byzantine, Ottoman, and industrial history within one site makes the Rezan Has Museum a rare cultural treasure that bridges Istanbul’s multi-layered past with its present.
Events and Workshops in Rezan Has Museum
The Rezan Has Museum enriches the visitor experience with a variety of events and programs:
- 🧭 Guided Tours: These tours, often led by experts, provide deeper insights into the exhibits. During cultural events, they are sometimes offered free of charge.
- 🎨 Children’s Workshops: Creative educational programs designed to inspire young minds. Through hands-on activities, children learn about history, archaeology, and art in a fun and engaging way.
- 🎤 Talks and Panels: The museum regularly hosts academic lectures, symposiums, and panel discussions on archaeology, art history, and cultural heritage, reflecting its connection to the university.
- 🖼️ Special Exhibitions: Temporary exhibitions, such as “Goddess and Female Figurines,” add variety and encourage repeat visits. Visitors should check the museum’s official website for announcements of upcoming events.
Rezan Has Museum Visitor Reviews
Tourists and locals alike often describe the Rezan Has Museum as a hidden gem of Istanbul. Common praises include:
- ✅ Positives: Visitors appreciate the tranquil atmosphere, the blend of ancient artifacts with industrial history, affordable entry fees, and the uncrowded galleries that allow for an intimate museum experience.
- ⚠️ Negatives: Some visitors note that the museum is relatively small and not as centrally located as Istanbul’s larger museums. A few mention the requirement to show ID at the university gate as an inconvenience.
Despite these minor drawbacks, most reviews highlight the museum as a rewarding and enriching stop, particularly for those interested in archaeology, history, and lesser-known cultural sites.
Plan Your Rezan Has Museum Visit
For the latest information on exhibitions and events, visit the official website www.rhm.org.tr or call +90 212 533 65 32. Whether you are an archaeology enthusiast, a history lover, or a curious traveler seeking something different, the Rezan Has Museum offers a fascinating experience that reveals Istanbul’s rich heritage layer by layer.
Allow at least an hour to explore the exhibitions and take in the ambiance of the Byzantine cistern. Pair your visit with a stroll through the nearby Fener and Balat neighborhoods for a complete day of history, culture, and discovery along the Golden Horn.
