Sakıp Sabancı Museum

Great place to visit. One of the best preserved collections of calligraphy and a display of art of 18-19th century in one wing, a contemporary art gallery in another. They have a cosy restaurant with a picturesque view from the terrace and a small but charming botanical garden around the museum. A perfect place for a getaway.

The Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) is one of Istanbul's most important cultural institutions, located in the Emirgan neighborhood along the Bosphorus. It is housed in a beautiful mansion, known as the Atlı Köşk, which once belonged to the Sabancı family, one of Turkey's wealthiest and most influential families. The museum is renowned for its diverse collection, which spans a variety of art forms, from classical to modern. It is especially known for its collection of Ottoman calligraphy, manuscripts, and decorative arts, as well as its impressive selection of paintings, sculptures, and contemporary art pieces. The museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions featuring both Turkish and international artists, as well as cultural and historical exhibits. In addition to its art collections, the museum is surrounded by lush gardens that provide stunning views of the Bosphorus, offering a peaceful environment for visitors to relax. The museum also has a café where guests can enjoy a drink while taking in the scenic surroundings. Sakıp Sabancı Museum is a cultural hub that blends history, art, and nature, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the cultural richness of Istanbul.

Very nice gallery, small and no crowded with its own parking and easy to park, surrounded with a beautiful park. There are nice restaurants to combine for lunch.

Very nice staff, affordable museum shop. Have a coffee at the terrace to enjoy the view. Amazing trees and vegetation all over. Definetly worth a visit for art lovers. Thanks to Sabancı Family.

A private fine arts ( calligraphic, religious documents, paintings ...) museum. Most of the contents date back to the Ottoman era. Founded by Sakıp Sabancı & opened in June 2002. It hosts exhibitions and cultural events. 1848-1884 the building belonged to several high ranked pasha families and khedives, Egyptian governors; Purchased by the Ottoman Treasury (Abdülhamid II era) & gifted to King Nicola I of Montenegro. Then for 30 years a royal residence & embassy of Montenegro; 1913: repossessed by the Ottoman government, became home to the granddaughter of Sultan Mehmed V Reşad; Turkish Republic: Prince Mehmed Ali Hasan, grandson of Khedive İsmail Paşa, commissioned the architect Edouard de Nari to build the present house; 1944: home of the elder sister of the Egyptian prince; 1951 summer house of Sabancı's family; 1969-1999 home to Sakıp Sabancı's family; 1998: leased for 49 years to Sabancı University. [Wikipedia] يبدو أن الاسم هو ساكيب وليس شكيب

The interior is currently divided into three sections. Sakıp Sabancı's own personal Islamic collection, a section and a picture gallery where Osman Hamdi Bey's works are digitally scanned and displayed. Of course, the picture gallery attracts the most attention. There is a gallery with a very distinguished collection. Şeker Ahmet Pasha, Osman Hamdi Bey, Halil Pasha, Mihri Hanım, Hoca Ali Rıza, Şevket Dağ and many more. If you want to see a very valuable collection, don't miss it. You can also sit in the garden, eat dessert and drink coffee, and watch a unique Bosphorus view from a part of the garden.

Several of the staff members were very rude to us, including the person at the ticket counter and the lady doing the security checks. This was surprising because everyone else in Turkey has been so polite and helpful. The management should look into this! We went to this museum while visiting from the United States. After arriving at the end of a long taxi ride and going in, we found that everything in the museum’s collection was under restoration, except a special exhibition that we were not interested in at all. At the ticket counter, we had only been told that calligraphy was closed, but we had come to see the paintings that are part of the museums permanent collection. Having signs in English and other languages, and some staff member who speaks English would be helpful.

I am always fascinated whenever I visit the museum. Amazing garden, amazing view and great exhibitions all the time. It is a must go place in Istanbul as a second visitor (can be too much for the first time traveler). The house was used by Sabanci family before it was converted to a museum. It gives more interest for the place. Walking in the beautiful garden with the view makes you fall in love with the house.

As I sat in the back of the van, crawling through traffic from the airport into Istanbul for the very first time, I looked out the window and noticed banner after banner advertising an exhibit of my favourite artist, Joan Miró. After a bit of Googling I discovered that the exhibit had just opened and was at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Forget the museum - the grounds alone are absolutely stunning. Lush, green, a calm oasis just off of a busy main road in one of the busiest cities in the world. Gorgeous plants, interesting artwork and water features line the paved walkway uphill towards the museum, itself a stunning historical mansion. There is also a beautiful terrace looking out over the Bosphorus. I could spend hours just relaxing on the grounds. The inside is clean, quite and impeccable. The Miró exhibit was very well done and laid out over two floors. Staff and security were prevalent but not intrusive at all. The permanent collection includes Turkish art from the Ottoman era to the 50s. The gift shop, the cherry on top of any museum for me, was small but had quality items and I even got a free poster of the Miró exhibit. I thought it would be a nice idea to have lunch at the cafe on the top floor but the prices were a little too rich for my blood. Entrance cost is 20TL for adults and 15TL for kids, free on Wednesdays. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Sakıp Sabancı Museum's Calligraphy and the Arts of the Book Collection is my favorite. It consists of illuminated Korans, prayer books, calligraphic albums and panels with Koranic verses, hadith and aphorisms, and illuminated documents bearing the imperial cipher. The Sakıp Sabancı Painting Collection is impressive as well. It is composed of select examples of early Turkish painting as well as the works of foreign artists who worked in Istanbul during the later years of the Ottoman Empire. Apart from permanent collections, the museum constantly houses exhibitions and hosts educational activities. Don't skip the gift shop. It has wonderful stuff.