Roman mosaic floor unveiled in Istanbul's former military hospital

A remarkably preserved Roman mosaic floor dating to the 4th–5th century AD has been put on public display at the Zeytinburnu Mosaic Museum in Istanbul. The mosaic, spanning approximately 190 square meters, was discovered during restoration work on a former Ottoman military hospital that began in 2015. Further excavations from 2019 onward revealed the mosaic extended beyond the building's footprint, making it one of the largest such complexes found outside Istanbul's historic walls. The museum opened in late 2023 within the Kazlıçeşme Arts Centre, a repurposed 1893 military hospital renovated by architecture firm NUN in 2020. The arts centre also houses a gallery for contemporary art exhibitions, a library, a café-restaurant, and event spaces. Visitors view the mosaic from an elevated glass walkway. A marble sarcophagus containing two skeletons was also unearthed during excavations. The site is located in the Zeytinburnu district, historically the gateway to Constantinople via its fortified walls, and near the Panorama 1453 History Museum. Despite its significance, the museum remains little known to international tourists.