Right in the heart of Sultanahmet Square—literally directly across the street from the famous Blue Mosque—sits the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi). It is one of Istanbul’s absolute best-kept secrets, often bypassed by tourists rushing between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, which is a massive missed opportunity. If you want to understand the artistic soul, history, and diverse cultures of the Islamic world and the nomadic roots of Turkey, this is the place to be. international art historians simply referred to this place as the "Carpet Museum." It holds what is widely considered the richest and finest collection of hand-woven carpets in the world. You will find breathtakingly massive rugs hanging from the high palace ceilings, including ultra-rare, geometric Seljuk carpets dating back to the 13th century, alongside legendary Anatolian Uşak designs.