İstanbul Miniatürk

On the shore of the Golden Horn in Sütlüce, Miniatürk is one of the largest miniature parks in the world and a favourite with families and first-time visitors to Istanbul. Its slogan, "a small model of a great country", sums it up: in a few hours you can walk past Hagia Sophia, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, the travertines of Pamukkale and the Temple of Artemis, all reproduced in fine detail at a scale of 1:25.

History

Miniatürk was created by Kültür A.Ş., the culture company of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and opened to visitors on 2 May 2003. A team of experts selected the buildings and natural landmarks from thousands of candidates, choosing those that best represent the civilisations that have shaped these lands – from antiquity, Rome and Byzantium to the Seljuks and the Ottomans. The park has since become known as "the showcase of Turkey" and is one of the first stops on many Istanbul tours.

What to See

The complex covers about 60,000 square metres, of which around 15,000 square metres are given to the models. According to the museum, 62 models represent Istanbul, 64 come from Anatolia and 13 show Ottoman-era monuments that are today outside Turkey's borders. The models include mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, bridges, caravanserais, fortresses, railway stations and monuments, as well as natural wonders. Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that once stood in Anatolia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, are recreated here even though the originals no longer stand.

• Istanbul landmarks: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Maiden's Tower and the Bosphorus bridges in miniature.
• Anatolian treasures: Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, Pamukkale, the stone houses of Mardin and the İzmir Clock Tower.
• Lost wonders: the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
• Beyond Turkey: Ottoman monuments from former Ottoman lands, such as the Mostar Bridge.
• Miniatek: an interactive area with a children's playground, mini train, remote-controlled boats, a chess area and a maze.

Visitor Tips

Miniatürk is closed on Mondays and open on other days from 10:00, with closing at 18:00 on standard days; special events and evening openings can change the schedule. Payment at the ticket office is by credit or debit card or Istanbulkart – cash and foreign currency are not accepted, and the Museum Card is not valid. Children under six visiting with their families enter free. An audio guide app is available in nine languages. Allow one and a half to two hours, more with children. The park has a restaurant, café, gift shop and a 300-car car park, and is a short drive from the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Pierre Loti Hill, so it fits well into a Golden Horn tour.