Constantinople to Istanbul: A Lavish Celebration of Imperial Splendour 2026

Constantinople to Istanbul is a blockbuster exhibition that celebrates the double imperial splendour of two lost worlds: the Byzantine empire and the Ottoman empire. The show collides the Byzantine capital, officially inaugurated on 11 May AD330, with the Ottoman Turks who conquered the city in 1453 and turned it into Istanbul.

The combined glories of these two empires – the Ottoman empire was dissolved in 1922 – beget an utterly enrapturing experience. Visitors may lose all track of time in this dream city of gold and ivory, where even the human form is magically transfigured into mineral and metal.

Byzantine Splendour: Marble, Glass, and Precious Stones

The exhibition opens with the Byzantine empire, whose capital Constantinople was the jewel of the medieval world. Among the highlights is a marble icon of the martyred abbess St Eudokia, inlaid with coloured glass and wearing a crown of precious stones. Her dress is patterned with diamonds and decorated with pearls and emeralds.

This masterpiece of abstract splendour looks like a Klimt painting, but it cannot have influenced him because it wasn’t excavated until 1929. The icon is a testament to the Byzantine mastery of materials, transforming the human form into something divine and otherworldly.

Ottoman Opulence: Gold-Woven Kaftans and Iznik Tiles

But the Ottoman empire could beat that for splendour. A 16th-century kaftan, probably worn by Sultan Selim II, irradiates viewers with light-giving yellow and geometric white designs, part flower, part solar disc. It is made of zerbaft, a fabric said to be “woven from gold”, and it looks it.

It’s not all precious metals, though. Blue and white glazed tiles from a hamam conjure images of steaming bathhouse comfort, along with a bath wrap of red silk. These objects offer a glimpse into the daily life and rituals of the Ottoman elite.

Why This Exhibition Matters

This exhibition is more than a display of beautiful objects; it is a dialogue between two civilizations that shaped the course of history. By bringing together Byzantine and Ottoman art, it shows how Constantinople and Istanbul were not just cities but symbols of imperial power and cultural achievement.

For anyone interested in art, history, or design, this is a rare opportunity to see these treasures in one place. The show reminds us that even as empires rise and fall, their artistic legacy endures.

Key Takeaways for Visitors

• See the marble icon of St Eudokia, a Byzantine masterpiece that predates Klimt by centuries.
• Marvel at the gold-woven kaftan of Sultan Selim II, a stunning example of Ottoman textile art.
• Discover blue and white Iznik tiles from a hamam, evoking the luxury of Ottoman bathhouses.
• Understand the historical collision between the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
• Experience a blockbuster exhibition that blends beauty, history, and craftsmanship.

Exhibition Highlights at a Glance

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