A new museum for Istanbul
The Aydos Museum, which has opened in Sultanbeyli, offers visitors free access to artifacts unearthed during excavation and restoration work.
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The Aydos Museum, established at Aydos Castle, one of Istanbul's historical heritage sites, has opened its doors to the public. The museum, brought to life by the Sultanbeyli Municipality, will present the history of the castle and the artifacts unearthed during the restoration process to visitors.
Sultanbeyli Mayor Ali Tombaş stated that the museum can be visited free of charge and noted that they have carried out a project that brings the historical, political, and cultural significance of Aydos Castle to the present day. Tombaş expressed that the artifacts discovered during the excavation and restoration works are also on display in the museum.
Recalling that historian Prof. Dr. Halil İnalcık described Aydos Castle as the "place where the Conquest of Istanbul began," Tombaş emphasized that the castle is an important heritage not only for Sultanbeyli but also for the history of Istanbul and civilization.
Aydos Castle is one of the important legacies not only of our Sultanbeyli, but also of Istanbul and our history of civilization.
WHICH ARTIFACTS ARE ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM?
The Aydos Castle Promotion and Exhibition Hall features load-bearing columns and pedestals, profiled stones used in door and window frames, arch fragments, embossed decorative panels, railing panels, iron-clamped stones, and water drainage pieces.
The artifacts, which date back to the Early and Middle Byzantine periods, provide information about the stone masonry, architectural understanding, and construction techniques used in defensive structures of the era. The hall also features videos explaining the history of the castle shown via projection; epoxy-printed photographs reflecting the stages of the 12-year restoration process are also presented to visitors.
The Aydos Museum can be visited free of charge on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 and on weekends from 09:00 to 19:00, except for Mondays. Service points such as the Aydos Cafe, gift shops, a prayer room, and a parking lot are also available in the castle area.