Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires

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A major UK-first exhibition exploring 1,600 years of extraordinary art and design, offering a compelling new perspective on a city defined by artistic excellence across more than a millennium.

Exhibition

• Opens Saturday, 7 November 2026

• V&A South Kensington

Cromwell Road

London, SW7 2RL

• Galleries 38 and 39

• Tickets available soon

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

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In partnership with

Exhibition highlights

• \ \ 'Veroli Casket' with mythological scenes, maker unknown, 2nd half of 10th century, Byzantine
• \ \ Long-necked lute (tambur), maker unknown, about 1750, Turkey
• \ \ Enkolpion of Constantinos, proedros, 11th century, Byzantine Empire
• \ \ Lincoln Typikon of the Convent of the Virgin of Sure Hope. MS. Gr. 35 10v-11r
• \ \ Ucetek entari, featuring a laid cord technique
• \ \ (Detail:) Ottoman processional scroll, 17th century

Plan your visit

Membership\ \ V&A Members enjoy free and unlimited entry to all exhibitions,\ a sought-after programme of Members' events, use of our Members' Rooms,\ at least 10% off in V&A shops, and much more.\ \ \ Find out more

Related events

• [Members only\ \ \ \ V&A Membership exhibition view\ \ \ Members' Preview Day: Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires\ \
  • Thursday 5 November and Friday 6 November\ \ \
  • V&A South Kensington\ \ \ \
  • Free\ \
  • More info](https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/VKemPXNK/members-preview-day-constantinople)
• [Members only\ \ \ \ V&A Membership talk\ \ \ Online Curator Talk: Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires\ \
  • Thursday, 5 November 2026\ \ \
  • Online\ \ \ \
  • Free\ \
  • More info](https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/zEJRd1rVo/online-curator-talk-constantinople-to-istanbul)
• [Members only\ \ \ \ V&A Membership exhibition view\ \ \ Members' Morning View: Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires\ \
  • Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November\ \ \
  • V&A South Kensington\ \ \ \
  • Free\ \
  • More info](https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/pDoR12r5/members-morning-view-constantinople-to-istanbul)

With support from

Header image:

(Detail:) Ottoman processional scroll, 17th century. Image provided by The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester, Turkish MS4