Let your self experience a great city where the Continents meet.
Latest News
New openings in 2024
The St. Saviour in Chora (Kariye) is re-opened after years of restorations as a mosque and a museum.
Entrance fees in 2024
As of 1st of March 2024, many State museums' fees are set in Euros, to be paid its equivalent in Turkish Liras.
Museum Pass
You can buy the "Museum Pass" for foreigners which is valid for 5 days in various museums of Istanbul.
Museums open 7 days
Many State museums in Istanbul operate 7 days a week, except Topkapi Palace.
Kadir Topbas - Former Mayor of Istanbul
Mr. Kadir Topbas was born in Yusufeli district of Artvin city in 1945, but he lived with his parents in Istanbul. He was graduated from Marmara University - Faculty of Theology in 1972, and Mimar Sinan University - Department of Architecture in 1974. Topbas earned his Ph.D degree from Istanbul University - Department of Art History and Archaeology. He worked as an architect for many years.
Between 1994-1998, Kadir Topbas worked as an advisor for Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality at the time. He also served as the deputy director of Istanbul Cultural Heritage Protection and Monuments Committee of the Ministry of Culture.
Kadir Topbas became the Mayor of Beyoglu district in 1999. He was a candidate for the Mayorship of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB in Turkish) from AK Party in the local elections of 28 March 2004, and he won. Mr. Topbas was the Mayor of IBB for 13 consecutive years, winning three local administration elections in Istanbul (2004, 2009, 2014). In November 2010 he was also elected as the President of the UCLG, United Cities and Local Governments, for a term of 3 years.
Mr. Kadir Topbas resigned from his duties on 22 September 2017 due to an internal conflict with his party. Mr. Mevlut Uysal took the seat with an exceptional voting in the Municipality congress. Please follow the link for the actual Mayor of Istanbul.
Mr. Topbas died on 13th of February 2021 after a long period of ICU at the hospital due to Covid-19. He published a couple of books, especially on Beyoglu. He was married and had three children.
Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.
