Bronze helmet from the Hellenistic period, 3rd-2nd century BCE

Rezan Has Museum

Rezan Has Museum: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide to Fatih’s Historical Sites

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction: The Rezan Has Museum and Its Cultural Significance

Situated in Istanbul’s historic Cibali neighborhood in Fatih, the Rezan Has Museum is a beacon of the city’s layered past. Housed within an 11th-century Byzantine cistern and a 17th-century Ottoman industrial complex, the museum presents nearly 9,000 years of Anatolian and Istanbul history. Its unique setting—within the former Cibali Tobacco Factory, itself a testament to the city’s industrial transformation—makes it an essential stop for history enthusiasts, cultural travelers, and architecture lovers.

The museum’s rich collections range from Neolithic artifacts to Ottoman industrial heritage, including world-renowned Urartian belts and jewellery, fertility figurines, and items that illuminate the ancient social and spiritual lives of Anatolian peoples. The restoration of its Byzantine and Ottoman structures showcases exemplary heritage conservation, and the museum’s active restoration studio offers visitors a first-hand look at artifact preservation.

The Rezan Has Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with affordable tickets and concessions for students, seniors, and free entry for children under 12. Accessibility is prioritized, and the museum is conveniently reached by public transport, notably the T1 tram line to the Cibali stop. Visitors can also enjoy rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and virtual tours, further cementing the museum’s role as a vibrant cultural hub. For the latest updates and virtual exhibits, consult the official Rezan Has Museum website and Google Arts & Culture.

Ancient diagonal arched structures with stone keystones from 7th century BC

Ancient 7th century BC mixed figure decorated belt

Bronze seated child figurine from the Hellenistic period, 330-30 BC

Various historical artifacts including fruit weights and an eye idol displayed in Rezan Has Museum

Assorted historical artifacts including eye idols and bowls at Rezan Has Museum

Various historical cups and a vertebrate-shaped pottery in Rezan Has Museum

Vertebrate pottery, beads, chisel handles, and chisels displayed at Rezan Has Museum

Various historical cutting and piercing tools, core tools, miniature doors, hand axes, and miniature pots displayed in Rezan Has Museum

Various historical cups and bowls displayed in Rezan Has Museum

Ancient spiral patterned stone arch from the 7th century BC

Ancient narrow women's belt with banquet scene from 8th-7th century BCE

Ancient banquet tray from 7th century BC with intricate design

Ancient Roman era statue from 1st-4th century AD depicting Hecate

Contents Overview

Discover the Rezan Has Museum: Highlights
Visiting Information
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Accessibility
Guided Tours & Services
Getting There & Travel Tips
Historical and Architectural Background
Exhibition Highlights
Archeological Collections
Urartian Belts & Jewellery
Goddess Figurines
Industrial Heritage: Cibali Tobacco Factory
Byzantine Cistern
Temporary Exhibitions
Restoration & Conservation
Visitor Amenities & Practical Tips
Nearby Attractions & Dining
FAQs
Contact Information
Conclusion & Recommendations
Sources

Discover the Rezan Has Museum: A Journey Through Istanbul’s History

The Rezan Has Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore Istanbul’s rich heritage across millennia. Visitors can immerse themselves in the atmospheric halls of a Byzantine cistern, marvel at Ottoman industrial architecture, and engage with archaeological collections spanning Anatolian civilization from the Neolithic to the Seljuk periods.

Visiting Information

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed Mondays and national holidays

Ticket Prices:

Adults: 40 TRY
Students/Seniors: 20 TRY
Children under 12: Free

Accessibility:

Wheelchair access to most exhibition areas, including the main campus and cistern hall
Assistance available upon request

Guided Tours & Visitor Services:

Guided tours in English and Turkish (advance booking recommended)
Audio guides available for rent
Non-flash photography permitted; tripods not allowed

Getting There & Travel Tips

Location:

Kadir Has Campus, Cibali Mahallesi, Fatih, Istanbul

Public Transport:

Tram: T1 line to Cibali stop, 5-minute walk
Bus: Multiple routes; check schedules

By Car:

Limited parking; public transport recommended

Best Times to Visit:

Weekday mornings for fewer crowds
Spring and autumn for pleasant weather

Historical and Architectural Background

Byzantine Foundations: 11th-Century Cistern

At the museum’s core is the “Karanlık Çeşme” (Dark Fountain), a Byzantine cistern from the late 11th century. Composed of 48 arches, 15 pillars, and 20 columns, it was a crucial part of Constantinople’s water system, built to withstand centuries thanks to robust mortars and spolia columns.

Ottoman Era: Tobacco Factory and Urban Transformation

The overlying 17th-century Ottoman structure, later integrated into the Cibali Tobacco and Cigarette Factory, reflects Istanbul’s industrial evolution. During WWII, the cistern was even used for food storage, illustrating the site’s adaptive reuse.

Modern Restoration and Museum Foundation

Restored in the early 2000s by the Kadir Has Foundation, the former factory was transformed into Kadir Has University’s main campus. The exemplary conservation work earned a Europa Nostra Award in 2003, and in 2007, the museum was inaugurated, named in honor of Rezan Has.

Exhibition Highlights

Archaeological Collections: Neolithic to Seljuk

The museum’s core collections trace Anatolian civilizations through millennia. The “Archaeology of Daily Life” exhibition features pottery, tools, ornaments, and ritual objects, offering a window into ancient social and spiritual practices (journees-archeologie.eu).

Urartian Belts & Jewellery

A world-class highlight is the Urartian collection, particularly the “Urartian Belts Exhibition” with intricately decorated bronze belts from the 9th–6th centuries BCE. The “Wide Belt with Hunting Scene” and a comprehensive jewellery assortment reflect the sophistication and artistry of the Urartians (journees-archeologie.eu; archive.org).

Goddess and Female Figurines

The “Goddess and Female Figurines Selection” explores representations of women in Anatolian art, from Neolithic fertility figurines to Roman-era icons, reflecting changing perceptions of femininity (journees-archeologie.eu).

Industrial Heritage: The Cibali Tobacco Factory

Occupying the historic Cibali Tobacco Factory, designed by Alexandre Vallaury in 1884, the museum’s “Space of Labor” exhibit presents industrial, economic, and socio-cultural histories of late Ottoman and early Republican Istanbul (journees-archeologie.eu).

The Byzantine Cistern

The museum’s basement features the 11th-century cistern with 48 arches—a rare architectural gem included in the museum tour, providing a tangible link to Istanbul’s Byzantine past (journees-archeologie.eu).

Temporary and Thematic Exhibitions

Rotating exhibitions and collaborative programs with academic partners regularly enrich the museum’s offerings (Google Arts & Culture).

Restoration and Conservation

Scientific Conservation

From 2011 to 2014, advanced “minimum intervention” techniques were used to conserve Urartian jewelry, funded by Bank of America & Merrill Lynch (academia.edu).

Diagnostic Technologies:

Raman Spectroscopy
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Cleaning and Stabilization:

Mechanical and laser cleaning under magnification
Stabilization with climate control and reversible coatings (archive.org)

Restoration Studio:

Visitors can observe conservation work as part of guided tours

Preventive Conservation:

Strict environmental controls and display case management

Research Collaboration:

Ongoing research and publications with academic partners (academia.edu)

Visitor Amenities & Practical Tips

Facilities: Restrooms and gift shop with books, souvenirs, and replicas
Accessibility: Wheelchair access to most areas; contact in advance for specific needs
Photography: Non-flash allowed; check for restrictions in certain exhibits
Guided Tours: Available in Turkish and English, best to book ahead
Language: Turkish and English signage throughout
Duration: Plan for 1–2 hours to explore fully
Contact: [email protected] | +90 212 533 65 32

Nearby Attractions & Dining

Enhance your museum visit by exploring:

Rahmi M. Koç Museum: Industrial and transport history along the Golden Horn
Fener & Balat Districts: Colorful historic neighborhoods
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: Contemporary art
Local Dining: New Balat Cafe Restaurant, Cafe Naftalin K, Pier Cafe Restaurant, and more (wanderboat.ai)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours?
A: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; closed Mondays.

Q: How much are tickets?
A: 40 TRY for adults, 20 TRY for students/seniors, free for children under 12.

Q: Is the museum accessible?
A: Most areas are wheelchair-accessible; contact ahead for specific needs.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, in Turkish and English, with advance booking recommended.

Q: Can I take photos?
A: Yes, non-flash photography is allowed; check restrictions in select areas.

Contact Information

Address: Cibali, Kadir Has Cd., 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 533 65 32
Website: rhm.org.tr

Conclusion

The Rezan Has Museum stands as a living narrative of Istanbul’s urban and cultural evolution, blending ancient archaeology, Ottoman industrial heritage, and innovative conservation in a singular historical setting. Its accessible visitor services, central location, and rich programming make it an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand Istanbul’s past and present.

For up-to-date information, ticketing, and special events, consult the official museum website and explore their virtual exhibitions. Enhance your cultural journey through Istanbul by including this remarkable site in your itinerary.