Pera Museum is a private art museum in Istanbul, Turkey, which offers visitors an opportunity to explore Turkish and international art from various periods, including the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish Republic, and the contemporary era. Situated in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, the Pera Museum opened its doors to the public in June 2005, after extensive restoration work on the building, which was originally an Ottoman-era hotel. The museum was founded by the Suna and Inan Kirac Foundation, with the aim of promoting art and culture, particularly through providing access to some of the most important works of art in Turkey.
The Pera Museum comprises three floors of galleries, which showcase the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and a range of educational programs and events. The permanent collection includes the Ottoman Imperial Porcelain Collection, the Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection, and the Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection. These collections provide a comprehensive overview of the cultural and artistic heritage of Turkey, particularly during the Ottoman period.
The Ottoman Imperial Porcelain Collection is one of the most significant collections of Ottoman ceramics in the world, comprising over 2,000 pieces from the late 15th to the early 20th centuries. The collection includes exquisite examples of Iznik and Kütahya ceramics, as well as rare pieces of Chinese porcelain that were brought to Istanbul as gifts or tributes from the Far East. The collection also features ceramics that were made for the Ottoman court, as well as those produced for export.
The Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection is a unique collection of weights and measures from various regions of Turkey, spanning from the Ottoman period to the early Republic. The collection provides a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of people from different regions and professions, as well as the commercial and trade relationships between different regions.
The Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection showcases some of the finest examples of Kütahya ceramics, including both traditional and modern designs. Kütahya is known for its high-quality ceramics, and the collection includes a wide range of works, from simple plates to intricately decorated vases and jugs. The collection also includes examples of Ottoman-style tiles that were produced in the 20th century.
In addition to the permanent collections, the Pera Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that showcase Turkish and international art, as well as historical and cultural artifacts. Recent exhibitions have included works by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, and Rembrandt, as well as exhibitions on Islamic art, Ottoman textiles, and Anatolian kilims.
The museum also offers a range of educational programs for children and adults, including lectures, workshops, and guided tours. The aim of these programs is to engage visitors with the artworks and artifacts on display, and to provide a deeper understanding of Turkish culture and history.
One of the unique features of the Pera Museum is the building itself. Originally built in the late 19th century as the Bristol Hotel, the building underwent extensive restoration work in the early 2000s to transform it into a state-of-the-art museum. The building’s façade, which features a mixture of neoclassical and oriental styles, has been preserved, while the interior has been modernized to create a series of bright and spacious galleries that are perfect for displaying works of art.
Overall, the Pera Museum is a must-visit destination for art and culture lovers who want to explore the rich history and heritage of Turkey. With its fascinating permanent collections, exciting temporary exhibitions, and engaging educational programs, the museum offers visitors a unique and enriching experience that is not to be missed. Whether you are interested in Ottoman ceramics, Anatolian weights and measures, or contemporary art, the Pera Museum has something to offer everyone.
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Which days of the week is Pera Museum open?
Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 – 19.00 Sunday 12.00 - 18.00 The Museum is closed on Mondays.
When can I visit Pera Museum free of admission?
Pera Museum is free for everyone between 18.00 and 22.00 on Fridays and for all students on Wednesdays. Friends of Pera Museum, the disabled plus one companion, children aged 12 or below, ICOM cardholders and members of the press are free of admission charges.
How much is the admission fee at Pera Museum?
Adult: 25 TL Concessions: 10 TL (Students aged 12 or younger, faculty, visitors aged 60 years and over can enjoy discounted tickets.) Group ticket: 20 TL (valid for a minimum of 10 people).
Where is Pera Museum?
Pera Museum is on Meşrutiyet Street, Tepebaşı Neighborhood; in front of İspark and right next to Odakule. You can get to the museum by getting off at the Şişhane stop on the Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro line. Visitors who will travel by bus may get off in front of the British Consulate General Istanbul on Tarlabaşı Boulevard.
Does Pera Museum have lifts for the disabled?
The Museum is accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who need to avoid stairs. Elevators are located throughout the building. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available.
How many floors are there in Pera Museum?
The Auditorium and Pera Learning workshop are located on the -1st floor of Pera Museum. The reception desk, Artshop and Pera Café are on the ground floor; “Coffee Break" and "Anatolian Weights and Measures” exhibitions are on the first floor. “Osman Hamdi Bey and Intersecting Worlds” exhibitions are on the second floor. Temporary exhibitions may be found on the third, fourth and fifth floors.
Is photography allowed inside the Museum?
Photography (without flash) is allowed in the Museum.
Where can I leave my backpack or stroller?
There is a designated area for bags and strollers in the cloakroom.
Who can I contact if I lose something in the Museum?
You can send an e-mail to info@peramuzesi.org.tr or contact us at +90 (212) 334-9900.
Is there a library in Pera Museum?
The Pera Museum building does not have a library. However, you can visit the "Pera Museum Art Library" at the Istanbul Research Institute, which is 50 meters away.
Are the galleries available to rent for various events?
Only Pera Café and Auditorium may be rented for events.
Who is the founder of Pera Museum?
Pera Museum is the initial step of the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation’s extensive cultural initiative to provide culture and arts services.
What collections are on exhibit at Pera Museum?
Selections from three collections are exhibited at Pera Museum: Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Orientalist Painting Collection, Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection and Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection.
How can I visit the collection exhibitions at Pera Museum?
You can purchase a ticket to visit the collection exhibitions during visiting hours. You may find the “Intersecting Worlds: Ambassadors and Painters” and “Osman Hamdi Bey" exhibitions from the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation’s Orientalist Painting Collection on the 2nd floor of the Museum, a selection from the Anatolian Weights and Measures and the “Coffee Break: The Adventure of Coffee in Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics” exhibition from the Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics Collection on the 1st floor.
How can I learn more about the collections?
Click here to get detailed information about the collections. You may also explore Pera Museum’s collections on Google Arts & Culture.
Are all of the collections available in the exhibitions?
Collections are exhibited periodically with themed selections.
Where can I find information about the works from Pera Museum collections that are excluded from the exhibitions?
You may read our collection catalogs, which offer detailed information about most of the works. You may also find informative content regarding the works from our collections on Pera Museum’s YouTube channel, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts or in the Explore! section of our website. For additional information, please contact us at info@peramuzesi.org.tr.
Where can I find Pera Museum’s collection catalogs?
You may download and read our collection catalogs for free on our website or purchase them at bookstores. Click here to read our catalogs!
Who should I contact if I want to use images of the works from Pera Museum collections for academic purposes?
You can send your request to info@peramuzesi.org.tr with your name, contact information and abstract. Our collection team will review your request and reply within 15 days.
Who should I contact to get more information about Pera Museum collections?
Please contact us at info@peramuzesi.org.tr for all your collection-related inquiries. E-mails will be replied within a week.
Does Pera Museum sell artworks like an art gallery?
Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Pera Museum is a not-for-profit organization and does not sell artworks; it operates within the legal framework regarding private museums. Therefore, the foundation’s collections are public.
Does Pera Museum evaluate artifacts?
Pera Museum does not offer such a service. We only focus on the works within her own collections.
Which exhibitions are available online?
Click here to take a look at the list of our digital exhibitions.
What are your requirements for opening an exhibition at Pera Museum?
Pera Museum features projects that are proposed by expert curators or that it curates itself.
Where are Pera Learning Programs held in the museum?
The workshops are held in the Pera Learning Workshop located on the basement of the Museum and online tours and events are held on Zoom.
Who can attend Pera Learning Programs?
Each program is designed for different groups. Children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens, school groups (preschool, primary school, middle school, high school) and teachers can attend these programs.
Do I have to make a reservation to attend workshops?
Some workshops require tickets, while you may need to make reservations for others. Workshop descriptions include attendance requirements. You may fill out the form on the workshop page to submit your attendance request for events requiring a reservation. Reservation is mandatory for school groups to attend guided tours and workshops.
Do I have to purchase a ticket to attend workshops?
Some workshops require tickets to attend. You can purchase your ticket by clicking on the "Book Tickets" button on the relevant workshop page.
Should I bring any materials for workshops?
Workshop materials are provided by Pera Museum. You do not need to bring any materials unless otherwise stated in the workshop description.
Can we take our own creations with us when leaving the workshop?
Yes, you may. Some workshops require the works to be photographed before you can take them with you. You may take your creations with you unless otherwise stated in the workshop description.
What is the minimum age requirement for my child to attend individual workshops?
Children aged 4 years (48 months) or over are allowed to participate in individual workshops.
Which age groups are children's workshops designed for?
Children's workshops are designed for children aged 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
Can parents attend children's workshops?
Children should attend the individual workshops alone.
Are there any workshops that allow parents to attend?
Parents can accompany their children in the special Mother’s Day and Father's Day workshops.
What is the duration of the children's workshops?
Each workshop is different. Please read workshop descriptions before attending.
It's quite an interesting museum. It is well presented in the historical part. Interesting. Therefore, there is a contemporary art room. For some reason, they've dragged the American Belem agenda here ... Demonstrating digital art's state of development. It's fun to watch Turkish cyberpunk.