Istanbul Field trip 2026

Introduction
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Istanbul Field Trip, 2nd - 6th Sept 2026

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Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Istanbul Field Trip

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Istanbul Field Trip, 2nd - 6th Sept 2026. The course will be based at the Istanbul Design Centre. Daily timings are 10:30 – 5.30 pm, with a lunch break between 1 – 3 pm. Most afternoon sessions will be spent on location. The evenings are free. It’s best to orientate yourself around Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque), which is the historical centre of Istanbul.

Course Overview

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At a glance

Day 1 - Registration, Lecture, and Site Visit in Istanbul

02-Sep-2026
Day 1 - Registration, Lecture, and Site Visit in Istanbul image

Begin with Registration, Lecture, and Blue Mosque Visit

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Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Istanbul Field Trip

Welcome to the Art of Islamic Pattern Istanbul Field Trip, 2nd - 6th Sept 2026. The course will be based at the Istanbul Design Centre. Daily timings are 10:30 - 5.30 pm, with a lunch break between 1 - 3 pm. Most afternoon sessions will be spent on location. The evenings are free. It’s best to orientate yourself around Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque), which is the historical centre of Istanbul.
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Istanbul Design Center Location

Istanbul Design Center, Buhara Özbekler Tekkesi, Sultanahmet Binbirdirek District, Şehitmehmetpaşa Yokuşu Street No:40, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Mosque Opposite, Sultanahmet Eminönü, İstanbul Turkey.
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Registration and Introductions

Registration and Introductions at Istanbul Design Centre from 10:15-10:45 a.m.
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Introductory Lecture on Geometric Design

Introductory Lecture on geometric design within the Turkish tradition. Geometric drawing. (R Henry). 10:45 a.m - 1 pm at Istanbul Design Centre.
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Lunch Break

Lunch break between 1 - 3 pm.
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Site Visit: Sokullu Mehmet Pasha & Blue Mosque

Site Visit to Sokullu Mehmet Pasha & Blue Mosque from 3 - 5 pm. 3pm all meet at IDC and proceed together to site.

Day 2 - Biomorphic Drawing and Rustem Pasha Mosque Visit

Day 2 - Biomorphic Drawing and Rustem Pasha Mosque Visit image

Biomorphic Drawing and Mosque of Rustem Pasha Visit

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Biomorphic drawing class with focus upon the Ottoman Tradition

Biomorphic drawing class with focus upon the Ottoman Tradition. Drawing Islimi. Lecture (Adam Williamson). 10:30 a.m - 1 pm at Istanbul Design Centre.
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Lunch Break

Lunch break between 1 pm - 3 pm.
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Site Visit to Mosque of Rustem Pasha

Site Visit to Mosque of Rustem Pasha from 3 - 5 pm. Freehand motif drawing in the courtyard. 3pm all meet at IDC and proceed together to site. Site visit to Mosque of Rustem Pasha close to the Spice Bazaar.

Day 3 - Geometric Drawing and Craft Activity

Day 3 - Geometric Drawing and Craft Activity image

Geometric Drawing and Craft with Local Master

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Geometric drawing

Group divide in half and alternates between activities. 10:30 – 1pm Geometric drawing. R Henry.
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Lunch Break

Lunch break from 1 pm – 2:45 pm.
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Craft activity with local master craftsman

Craft activity with local master craftsman from 3:00-5:30pm.

Day 4 - Biomorphic Drawing and Suleymaniye Visit

Day 4 - Biomorphic Drawing and Suleymaniye Visit image

Biomorphic Drawing and Suleymaniye Complex Visit

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Biomorphic drawing class

Biomorphic drawing class (Adam Williamson) at Istanbul Design Centre from 10:30 a.m. to 1 pm.
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Lunch Break

Lunch break from 1 pm to 3 pm.
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Site Visit to Suleymaniye

Site Visit to Suleymaniye from 3 pm to 5 pm. Drawing at Suleymaniye complex.

Day 5 - Topkapi Palace Visit and Geometric Design

Day 5 - Topkapi Palace Visit and Geometric Design image

Explore Topkapi Palace and Ottoman Geometric Design

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Site Visit to Topkapi Palace

Site Visit to Topkapi Palace from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All meet at the entrance to Topkapi Palace (exact location to be advised).
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Lunch Break

Lunch break from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Geometric Design - Patterns from Ottoman tradition in Istanbul

Geometric Design. Patterns from Ottoman tradition in Istanbul (R. Henry) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All meet at IDC.
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Final group-photo and good-byes

Final group-photo and good-byes.
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Map

1. Istanbul Design Centre

Buhara Özbekler Tekkesi, Sultanahmet Binbirdirek District, Şehitmehmetpaşa Yokuşu Street No:40, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Mosque Opposite, Sultanahmet Eminönü, İstanbul, Turkey

2. Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque

Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi, Şehit Mehmet Paşa Yokuşu No:20, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

3. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

4. Rustem Pasha Mosque

Hasırcılar Cd. No:62, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

5. Suleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mah, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

6. Topkapi Palace

Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Where to stay?

Recommendations
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Accommodation Guidance

Participants are asked to arrange their own accommodation. We recommend staying in or near Sultanahmet, the historic heart of Istanbul, where the course venue is located and where most activities will take place.

Below is a selection of well-reviewed hotels and guesthouses within easy walking distance of the venue, spanning a range of budgets and styles. These are suggestions only — participants are free to choose alternatives.


Recommended Hotels & Guesthouses (Sultanahmet)

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet — A luxury property with elegant rooms, excellent service, and spa facilities in the heart of Sultanahmet, steps from major landmarks. 

Darussaade Istanbul Hotel
A well-reviewed boutique hotel in a historic building with friendly service and rooftop breakfast terrace — excellent location within about 5–10 minutes’ walk of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and other sites. 

Hotel Empress Zoe
A charming traditional guesthouse set within historic townhouses, known for its cozy interiors and welcoming atmosphere, just minutes from Sultanahmet Square. 

Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet
A comfortable mid-range hotel with good amenities and convenient location close to many historic sites. 

Hotel Amira Istanbul
A highly rated boutique hotel with rooftop terrace views and excellent guest service, popular with travellers exploring the Old City. 


Other Well-Rated Options (Various Budgets)

These hotels also receive very good guest reviews and are within walking distance of the historic centre and course venue: 

  • Romance Istanbul Hotel – Highly rated location and service. 

  • Hotel Sultania – Popular boutique option. 

  • Seven Hills Palace Hotel & Spa – Spa and wellness services. 

  • White House Hotel Istanbul – Excellent guest reviews. 

  • Hotel Ibrahim Pasha – Charming mid-range choice. 

  • Nomade Hotel Exclusive – Highly rated budget option. 

Tip: Many independent travellers also use sites like Booking.com, Expedia, or Airbnb to compare options and prices — there are 1,000+ accommodation choices in the Sultanahmet area, from guesthouses to luxury stays. 


Hostel & Budget Options

For more economical stays, consider:

  • Sultan Hostel & Guesthouse — popular with budget travellers and close to historic sites. 


Short-Term Apartment Rentals

Short-term apartments (via platforms like Airbnb) can be a good option, especially for groups or longer stays — just check that the location is within walking distance of Sultanahmet or well-connected by tram/transport.

You may wish to explore:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk


Where the Course Venue Is

Istanbul Design Centre
Binbirdirek, Şht. Mehmetpaşa Ykş. No:40, 34122 Fatih / İstanbul, Turkey

The venue is in the Old City near historic sites like Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, with cafés, restaurants, and transport close by. 

About your organizer

About your organizer image
AP
Art of Pattern
4.8 6 reviews
Art of Pattern was founded by Adam Williamson and Richard Henry in 2008. Richard and Adam have given workshops, presentations and public lectures at many of the leading cultural and educational institutions in the UK and beyond, including:- NYU & Spotify, USA, The British Museum, The British Library, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, The MIA Museum Doha, Ithra Museum SA, The King’s School of Traditional Arts, The Slade School of Fine Art, Central St Martins, The Royal Society, Asia House, Cambridge

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