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Carpet Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

Last Updated on July 7, 2022

Istanbul's fine Carpet Museum (Halı Müzesi) is within the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) complex. You enter by the grand, ornate Ottoman Baroque doorway at the northeast corner of the complex on Soğukçeşme Sokak near the grand entrance to the First Court of Topkapı Palace(map).

Lodged in the beautifully-restored former İmaret (Dining Facility, built 1742-1743) of the Ayasofya mosque complex, it consists of three exhibit halls: the former dining hall (me'kel), kitchen (aşhane), and bakery(fodlahane).

You pass from one hall to the others through electronically-controlled double doors that preserve the environment for the centuries-old carpets on exhibit. As you examine the carpets, take a moment to also examine the restored halls. Important features have plaques explaining their functions.

The carpets on exhibit are rare pieces dating from the 14th and 15th centuries (1500-1600) and later. (For some even earlier Seljuk-era carpets, visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Artsclose by on the Hippodrome.)

Grand entrance to the Carpet Museum,
with Soğukçeşme Sokak to the right.

Punto Carpets

For over a decade we have seen Punto offering a wide range of high quality, authentic, hand-made rugs as new, antique, and vintage. You will find fine rugs from timeless classics to exotic contemporary in special collections as well. Their antique Turkish and Persian rugs collection has been gathered with the expertise of literally generations. Also the pure silk rugs are woven on the masters-looms of the famous Ozipek and Cinar families and considered to be their signature collection.

Ethnicon/Dhoku Carpets 

Owner Memet Gureli runs EthniCon and Dhoku in Istanbul to sell some of the highest quality Turkish carpets to consumers from around the world. He is a third generation carpet salesman who has been selling in the Grand Bazaar for 45 years. As the most award-winning rug company in Turkey, EthniCon offers outstanding prices for their Turkish carpets of the highest quality and style without overcharging customers, as many carpet shops do. 

Tell Dhoku/Ethnicon Carpets that "Turkey Travel Planner sent you" for best pricing, often times additional discounts, and assurance of an excellent experience because of the valued TTP recommendation!

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