MINIATURK | A Tour in Turkey in just a day.   

Miniaturk is a miniature park of Turkey,  contemporary and al fresco museum wherein you can find the most magnificent model of the Turkish and Anatolian history.

It is located at Sutluce on the Golden Horn. This is the first miniature park in Istanbul, Turkey. The park covers a total land area of 60,000 square meters which boasts a 40,000 square meters of open space, 3,500 square meters covered space, 2,000 square meters of pools and waterways and a parking lot that can accommodate up to 500 vehicles.

This museum was built to give a better understanding to the Turkish people and tourists the history of Turkey in a very amusing and enjoyable way.

The construction of Miniaturk started in June 2001 and it was completed after 22 months. It was open in the public last May 02, 2003.
In this museum, you can see the representation of the different civilization such as the Hellenistic, Ottoman, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk civilizations which only show that Turkey has rich historical and cultural heritage. Some of the creations exhibited in this museum are the Stone Houses of Mardin, Divrigi Grand Mosque, Izmir Clock Tower, Bergama Zeus Altar, the Temple of Artemis, Fairy Chimneys, Safranbolu Houses, the German Fountain, Celsus Library, the Castle of Anatolia, Hagia Sophia, Mount Nemrut, Pamukkale, the Church of Virgin Mary, and Canakkale Martyrs Monument. You can also see a small bridge which replicates the Bosphorus Bridge that connects the Europe and Asia.

This open air museum presents 45 small models of architectural works from Anatolia, 45 maquettes from Istanbul and 25 from regions wherein the Ottoman’s once in controlled. There are also additional spaces that were reserved for future maquetttes, taking into considerations the needs for potential additions to their wonderful work of arts. Miniaturk will continue to grow in a sense of modernization. The maquettes of the historical and cultural heritage found here in the park is 1/25 of their original size. The visitors can enjoy the music during their tour and there are brochures that were given away for the brief description of the different maquettes inside the park. There are also resting facilities wherein you can relax and enjoy good food and drinks such as restaurants and cafeterias after a tiring tour.

The park also has different attractions such as the Go Kart Racing Area. It is located at the seashore Miniaturk parking lot. Children and adults can take a pleasure of riding the cart with two run ways. There is a playground wherein you can find the life size chess board and labyrinth. In this area, the children can develop their mental skills while having a good time. The Miniaturk Express Train can accommodate 24 children and have the opportunity to see the whole park while riding on a mini train. The children can also enjoy listening to the six Miniaturk adapted tales by a storyteller tree with moving face mimics. The park also has a 400 seat amphitheater, gift shop wherein you can buy souvenirs of your delightful hours during your visit in Miniaturk back to your loved ones.

The park aims a fairy tale atmosphere so they have decided to divide the park into three different sections named as the Anatolia, Istanbul and former Ottoman territories. These sections were separated by a small landscape designs that will ensure that the visitors will have the continuity of a guided tour.

If you are planning to visit Turkey, Miniaturk is a must see place. You will have the opportunity to see the different historical and cultural places that Turkey has to offer in a short period of time.

The park is open from 9am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm during summer months weekends. The entrance fee to the park is 10YTL but Turkish enjoy the discount which costs them 5YTL and students will have to pay only 3YTL.

It is recommended to take a taxi from Eminonu to Miniaturk. It will only cost you at around 7-10YTL. You can also ride on a bus numbered as 47C and 47E because it passes through right in front of the Miniaturk Park.

The Miniaturk showcases monumental structures that reflect the technology, art and civilization of the historical and cultural legacy of Turkey in a very amusing and enjoyable way.