Archaeological Museum (main building); The site of the museums actually belonged to the Topkapi Palace outer gardens. The museum was founded by decree as the Imperial Museum When it opened to the public in 1891; it was the first one to feature Turkish art. The first curator was Osman Hamdi Bey; who was also the founder of the museum. Since the imperial decree protecting cultural goods in the Ottoman empire was enforced; many governors from the different provinces would send in found artefacts to the capital city. In that way the museum was able to amass a great collection. The construction of the main building was started by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1881; attaining its present neo-classic form in 1908. The architect was Alexander Vallaury. The fa羇de of the building was inspired by the Alexander Sarcophagus and is one of the prominent structures built in the neoclassical style in Istanbul.