Istanbul Archaeology Museums

İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

Alexander Sarcophagus and the oldest peace treaty

Hours

09:00–18:30 (sources differ, check on the day)

Tickets

Foreigners about €15 (sources say €15–17), under 12 free. Museum Pass accepted

Address

Just below the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace, entrance on the Gülhane Park side

Three buildings hug the wall below Topkapı Palace. The Alexander Sarcophagus still carries traces of paint on its battle scenes, and people stand in front of it longer than they planned. The cuneiform room holds the tablet of the Treaty of Kadesh, the oldest known peace treaty between Egypt and the Hittites. Lines here are a fraction of those in Sultanahmet, which makes it a good cool-down hour.