The Archeology Museum of Istanbul hosts over 1 million historic pieces in three main buildings. There is no religious Byzantine historical section in the three buildings; the religious Byzantine section lies in the courtyards and the exterior of the Museum area, which is open to the elements of nature. From the wall of the Archeology Cafe, a terrace oversees a storage section below. Let’s look at what hidden crosses lay there.
Terrace Storage Section
During Ottoman times, the Topkapi palace area included Gülhane Park, where the current section of the Archeology Museum lodges in the middle. The lower section shows how the Park area was connected to the museum. The building on the left of the terrace formerly hosted the Ottoman School of Fine Arts (1883-1917), while the Tile Kiosk Building (built 1472 AD) on the right of the Cafe garden area hosted the main museum until 1880.
The steps on the side formerly allowed visitors to visit the lower section (pic below – upper left) and walk along the lined display of ruins (middle). Or, if need be, one could enter from Gulhane Park (lower left). The pics below give evidence of these former pathways. The circled areas are potential Christian symbols displayed below.
Corner Cross
The size of the cross in the corner displays a panel cross that most likely formed a dividing wall between the center nave or aisle of a basilica.
Church Pulpit and Panels
When Byzantine marble pieces are shaped in the trapezoid figure, this hints at the side stairways up to the pulpit. An entirely constructed pulpit sits in the courtyard of the Hagia Sophia. The upper portion of this picture depicts a damaged pulpit.
Near the far left stairs sits a three-cross panel, a significant architectural element that formerly displayed either an entry area or a dividing wall in a basilica church. The carved line below, snake-like, connects the two exterior crosses, appearing to crush the snake at the bottom of the crosses. This panel uniquely portrays Byzantine architectural design and symbolism.
After exiting the museum, three sections outside exhibit Byzantine ruins that most people ignore.
If you enjoyed my exploration, check out my book, Searching Below the Surface: A deeper look at Covenant and Contract.
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