Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam (Gülhane): visit and opening hours

Updated on October 4, 2026

The Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam (İstanbul İslam Bilim ve Teknoloji Tarihi Müzesi) is housed in the former imperial stables, the Has Ahırlar, in Gülhane Park, against the wall of Topkapı Palace. Designed by the historian of science Fuat Sezgin, it opened on 24 May 2008. It shows about 570 reconstructions of instruments, machines and models invented or improved between the 9th and 16th centuries in the Islamic world, over about 3,500 m² and two levels, in a dozen themed sections: astronomy, clockmaking, navigation, medicine, optics, chemistry, geography, physics, architecture. These are copies, not originals, but some models can be handled and suit curious children. Allow an hour to an hour and a half.

Highlights

Al-Jazari's elephant clock

Right at the entrance, a large reproduction of the water clock of the scholar al-Jazari (early 13th century): an elephant topped with figures, including a scribe and a bird, that marked the hours with a system of floats and pulleys. It is the museum's emblematic piece.

Astronomy, clocks and navigation

Astrolabes, celestial globes, quadrants, models of observatories (including Taqi al-Din's in Istanbul) and a reconstruction of his 1559 mechanical clock, plus navigation instruments. The reproduced world map of al-Idrisi is a reminder that south was often placed at the top.

Medicine and the Ibn Sina garden

Surgical instruments, a pharmacy and models of hospitals, continued outdoors by a small medicinal garden dedicated to Ibn Sina (Avicenna), laid out in 2013 with 26 plants.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The museum is one of the sites in the Museum Pass Istanbul, see our guide to the Museum Pass and Müzekart, and combines well with the archaeological museums, a few minutes' walk away. The admission price is not shown on the official page consulted in October 2026: check muze.gov.tr or ask at the desk. On a rainy day it is an excellent idea, see what to do in Istanbul when it rains.

How to get there

Has Ahırlar Binası, Gülhane Parkı, Alemdar Caddesi, Sirkeci, Fatih, Istanbul. Tram T1, Gülhane stop: the park entrance is next to it and the museum is inside, near the palace wall. From Sultanahmet allow ten minutes on foot.