This museum covers the history of the scientific tradition in the Islamic world between the ninth and seventeenth centuries, through a series of replicas of their greatest achievements and inventions.
Located in the Gulhane Park, it opened in 2008 with the aim of “creating a synergy between the visual experience and the visitor’s learning process.” It is a joint effort of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, the Council of Scientific and Technological Research of Turkey, the Turkish Academy of Sciences, the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul and the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt.
The exhibits serve to honor research in sciences like astronomy, geometry, chemistry, physics, optics, mineralogy, architecture, timing and technology of war. It shows how European culture adopted, transformed and assimilated the discoveries of the Islamic world.
At the entrance of the museum, visitors can see a globe showing at great precision the geographical map of the world as it was known then. Other exhibits include replicas of the water clock from Fez and a six cylindered water pump, which made possible the constant flow pump. The museum features large screen, detailed images and text in multiple languages. Visitors can buy an in depth catalog of the museum. Open daily, except Tuesdays, from 9:00 to 16:30. Tickets: 5 TL.