Istanbul Naval Museum (The Best ınfo in 2024)
If you are looking for the Istanbul Naval Museum, you are at the right place. If you’re planning a trip and can’t decide which sights are worth seeing apart from the famous Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, and the Blue Mosque, you should check out the Istanbul Naval Museum. By visiting this place, you will be able to see with your own eyes how the Turkish navy developed and just have an exciting time.
The museum building covers an area of 1,500 square meters and consists of three floors. Each of the eight exhibition halls is named after the direction of the wind. There are more than 20,000 exhibits in the museum, such as Ottoman ships, ship equipment, navigation tools, sailor clothes, and historic ship models. The design of one of the exhibition halls mimics the interior of the cabins of Atatürk’s world-famous Savarona yacht.
The Istanbul Naval Museum was first opened in 1897 by the First Lord of the Navy, Hasan Husnu Pasha. Later, authorities turned one of the buildings in the shipyard of the Ottoman state into a museum. The museum was rebuilt in 1914 by order of Cemal Pasha. The restoration carries out by Lieutenant and artist Ali Sami Boyar, who helped design a more modern structure.
There are eight exhibition halls in the museum. The most significant part of the exhibition is a large hall where Ottoman ships exhibit, including historical Turkish boats owned by sultans and other famous people. Another considerable portion of the display dedicates to Ataturk, the founder and first President of the modern Turkish State.
Textile products, including sailor uniforms, flags, and carpets used on ships, are exhibited in one of the museum halls. The hall has weapons, navigational instruments, lanterns, and clocks. In the lobby are orders related to maritime navigation, imperial edicts, and manuscript documents. In addition, there are photographs and paintings with a marine theme in the living room.
Besides the leading exhibition, you can also visit the archive and library where historical documents and maritime literature are kept. Also, on the territory of the museum, there is a cafe and souvenir shop, where you can buy miniature figurines of ships included in the exhibition, copies of maps, and other memorable souvenirs.
Istanbul Naval Museum is open every day except the first day of January, the first days of religious holidays, and Mondays. You can come between 09:00 – 17:00 on weekdays and 10:00 – 18:00 on weekends.
The Istanbul Naval Museum entrance fee is 25 TL.
