About Rezan Has Museum
Rezan Has Museum is one of Istanbul’s more distinctive museum experiences, combining an Ottoman structure from the 17th century with a Byzantine cistern from the 11th century. Since 2007, it has hosted authentic exhibitions and cultural activities as part of its active museum research. The setting itself is a major draw, but the collections make the visit especially rewarding for anyone interested in archaeology, industry, and the layered history of Istanbul.
After the cistern, the collection that attracts the most attention is the Cibali Tobacco and Cigarette Factory collection. It brings together the tools, items, papers, and photographs once used at the Cibali Tobacco and Cigarette Factory, returning them to their historical setting. Through this collection, visitors can observe elements of the industrial, economic, political, and sociocultural history of the late Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey.
Among the most significant objects are the first Makaron Machine and the first Reciprocating Cigarette Packing Machine imported to Turkey. The collection also includes many specialty cigarettes and cigarette packs produced for government agencies, private businesses, political parties, notable statesmen, special occasions, and regional festivals. Together, these pieces offer a very specific and memorable lens on everyday life, state culture, and industrial change.
The museum’s archaeological collection contains more than 2,700 items, making it possible to trace many eras of human history in one visit. The Urartu section is the largest part of the collection and includes artifacts linked to the many Anatolian civilizations between 7500 and 1500 BC. Visitors can see belts, sculptures, arrowheads, horse sets, needles, and a variety of jewelry from Urartu.
Another substantial section of the archaeological collection is dedicated to idols and sculptures. Here, you can encounter offerings, goddess idols, and figures made of marble, bronze, silver, gold, lead, and terra-cotta. These works date to the Neolithic, Bronze, Greek, and Roman eras, adding further depth to the museum’s broad historical range.
Visiting Rezan Has Museum
The Rezan Has Museum is open every day except the first of January and legal holidays. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Adult admission to the museum is listed as 5 Turkish Liras, while discounted tickets are 3 Turkish Liras. Owners of MMKD cards are entitled to free admission. If you have a Muzekart+, you can visit the museum for free once per year and save 10% on publications. As ticket policies may change over time, it is best to check the official sources before your visit.
A visit here works particularly well for travelers who want a quieter cultural stop away from the busiest museum circuit. Because of its historic cistern and archaeological focus, it can also appeal to visitors who enjoyed the atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern and want to explore another site where Istanbul’s underground and layered past remains visible.
Rezan Has Museum Location
Rezan Has Museum is located at the Kadir Has University Cibali Campus in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Thanks to its position near the Golden Horn, there are several practical transportation options for reaching the museum.
Many IETT buses stop by the university, including 33ES, 36CE, 399B, 399C, 41Y, 44B, 48E, 55T, 99, 99A, and 99Y. If you need to use the metrobus, you can take 34, 34A, or 34G and get off at Ayvansaray. From there, you can transfer to 399C and get off at the Unkapanı Kadir Has University stop.
To reach the museum by metro, use the M2 Yenikapi–Haciosman line and get off at Halic. From there, the museum is about a 10-minute walk away. For current public transportation details, routes, and possible service updates, it is a good idea to check IETT or Metro Istanbul before setting out.
What to See Nearby
If you are planning a full day of sightseeing in this part of the city, Rezan Has Museum pairs well with other major landmarks. You can continue on to Topkapi Palace, a major Ottoman monument that reflects five centuries of imperial history.
Hagia Sophia should also be on your list if you are exploring the city’s great historical sites. Often considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture, it remains essential for understanding the wider historical and artistic context of Istanbul.
After Rezan Has Museum, seeing another historical museum such as the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum can feel like a natural continuation of the day. Likewise, the Great Palace Mosaics Museum in Sultanahmet offers a different but closely related way to explore Anatolia’s past through mosaic art and remains preserved from very old Byzantine palaces.
Why Rezan Has Museum Stands Out
What makes Rezan Has Museum memorable is the way it brings together very different historical layers in one place. The Byzantine cistern, the Ottoman building, the industrial heritage of the Cibali factory, and the archaeological collection all contribute to a museum experience that feels both compact and wide-ranging. For travelers interested in lesser-known cultural sites, it offers a thoughtful alternative to the city’s busiest attractions while still connecting clearly to Istanbul’s broader story.
