- BIST10011,554-1.43%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,181.200.00%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,126+0.14%
- October 19, 202617°
- BIST10011,554-1.43%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,181.200.00%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,126+0.14%
- October 19, 202617°
V&A to Showcase Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage in London
The Victoria and Albert Museum is preparing an exhibition titled “Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires,” highlighting Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Opening on November 7, 2026, the exhibition will feature over 200 artifacts.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is preparing a comprehensive exhibition that tells the history of Istanbul through the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The exhibition, titled "Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires," will open on November 7, 2026, and will be open to visitors until May 9, 2027.
The museum describes this project as the first exhibition in the United Kingdom to present Istanbul’s 1600-year story in a holistic way. The exhibition will bring together more than 200 artifacts, including loans from institutions in Turkey.
Over 200 Artifacts Displayed Together
The display will include ceramic tiles, mosaics, tableware, metalwork, and jewelry. A significant portion of the artifacts will be loaned from Turkish institutions such as the Topkapı Palace Museum.
A V&A spokesperson stated that the exhibition will cover Istanbul’s 1600-year period as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires under one roof. The statement emphasized that the exhibition will focus on the art and cultural heritage that shaped this era.
Koç Group as Main Sponsor
The main sponsorship of the exhibition is provided by Turkey’s largest industrial group, Koç Group. The text highlights that the Koç family is among the country’s leading supporters of the arts.
It was noted that Ömer Koç, a grandson of Vehbi Koç, the founder of Koç Holding, collects antique and contemporary art. It was also shared that Arter is supported by the Vehbi Koç Foundation and that Koç Group is among the main sponsors of the Istanbul Biennial.
Exhibition Presented in Four Sections
The exhibition will be presented in four sections at the main museum building in South Kensington. The first section, "Grand Beginnings," will narrate the city’s emergence during the Roman period.
This section will feature architectural fragments from early palaces and churches, cameos made from semi-precious stones, ivory carvings, and Western manuscripts depicting the city just before and after the 1453 conquest.
The second section, "Heaven on Earth," will focus on places of worship and explore the development of Hagia Sophia. The exhibition text notes that the building was constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.
The third section, titled "Power and Reach," will examine how the Ottoman palace displayed its authority through visual grandeur during times of peace and war. The final section, "Life in the City," will extend into the 19th century, highlighting Istanbul’s cosmopolitan nature with its diverse languages, beliefs, and artistic traditions.
A Rare Manuscript to Be Included
One of the standout loaned artifacts is the Lincoln Typikon from Lincoln College in Oxford. This 14th-century illuminated manuscript from the Virgin of Sure Hope Monastery will be publicly displayed for the first time in sixty years.
The exhibition is curated by senior curator Tim Stanley and project curator Bella Radenovic. The museum aims to present Istanbul’s history in detail through art and architecture with this exhibition.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
