One of the most oustanding and notable museums in the world. It was founded in 1869 with the name "Imperial Museum". During the period Osman Hamdi Bey served as the director, the museum became one of the most respected museums of the world. Build in 1891, the facade of the museum was inspired from the Sarcophagus of the Crying Women. The museum hosts 36 exhibition rooms. The rich collections of the museum are comprised of artefacts discovered during the excavations led by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1887, The Sidon Royal Necropolis is acknowledged as one of the most important findings of the archaelogy world. The Alexander Sarcophagus is considered the be the most important work in the Istanbul Arcaelogical Museum. The Museums were awarded the European Council Award in 1993.