Madame Tussauds opens in Istanbul

The world's most famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds, is set to open a branch on Istanbul's İstiklal Avenue on Nov. 28. 

At a press conference before the official opening, Sarper Hilmi Suner, the General Director of Legoland Discovery Center and Madame Tussauds in Istanbul, said the museum featured wax figures with a history going back 250 years.

"Merlin Entertainment Group operates the world's largest entertainment center, and we made three big investments in the last three years; the Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center and now the Madame Tussauds in Istanbul," Suner said.

 "Before bringing it to Turkey, we asked people 'Which artists do you want to see the most? Which figure would make you the happiest?' Then we examined the answers carefully. Finally we drew up a list and later got in touch with the famous figures who were still alive, and the heirs or relatives of those who have passed away. After that we got to work," he added. 

The museum will include the wax sculptures of 55 famous figures from Turkey and around the world. Local figures include Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Rumi, Barış Manço, Adile Naşit, Süleyman the Magnificent, Mehmed the Conqueror, Sinan the Architect, Sabiha Gökçen, Arda Turan, Hidayet Türkoğlu, Beren Saat, Kerem Bursin and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, while the international stars include Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Audrey Hepburn, Beyonce, Rihanna, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Marilyn Monroe and Muhammed Ali. 

"Taking photographs for the sculptures' design takes a very long time and it is difficult work. Around 350 photos are taken. Lots of details are taken into account when photographing, such as eye color, finger size and fingerprints. It takes a lot of effort. These photographs are developed in our...