3 Best Sights in The Sea of Marmara and the North Aegean, Turkey

In an unusual historical-preservation choice, Cunda's Taxiarchis Church, a landmark dating from 1873, was wonderfully restored and reopened in 2014 as a museum that also houses an array of objects belonging to the collection of Turkish businessman and philanthropist Rahmi M. Koç. On the one hand, the restoration preserved the church's elegant neoclassical architecture and decor, as well as its religious iconography; on the other hand, the display of vintage cars and vehicles, ship anchors, nautical instruments, antique dolls and toys, and other curiosities overwhelms the space.

To the west of Yeşil Cami, this small museum in an attractive, 15th-century medrese is part of a complex that includes the mosque and Yeşil Türbe. Displayed in chambers around a shaded courtyard are inlaid wood items, jewelry, calligraphy and manuscripts, Turkish shadow puppets, carpets, coins, weapons, İznik ceramics, and traditional clothes embellished with colorful embroidery.

A fine, albeit small, collection of traditional costumes from the lands of the Ottoman Empire, some dating back centuries, is on display in this museum opposite the Muradiye Tombs. Mannequins dressed in the costumes revolve to afford a thorough study of the colorful textiles and embroidery. There are also gorgeous antique silver jewelry pieces and accessories, along with some folkloric items. The building is a medrese (theological school) built in 1475 by Şair Ahmet Paşa, whose tomb is in the garden.