Istanbul Military Museum (Harbiye) History, Exhibits, Entrance Fee, and Visiting Hours
The Istanbul Harbiye Military Museum and Cultural Site, located on Vali Konağı Cad. No:2 in Harbiye, Şişli, Istanbul, is an important cultural and historical landmark. Occupying a significant area of 54,000 m² with a building space of 18,600 m², the museum complex is housed in what was originally the Mekteb-i Harbiye (Military Academy) building, constructed in 1862 to train officers for the Ottoman Empire.
Historical Background
- The building was commissioned by Sultan Abdul Hamid II and initially served as a school until 1936, and later as a Corps Headquarters until 1964. Its southern section was used as a military officers’ club until the Harbiye Officers’ Club was built.
- The current museum space was designated in 1964 and underwent extensive restoration led by Architect Prof. Dr. Nezih Eldem, completed in 1991.
Museum Establishment and Collections
- The Military Museum, although not initially modern in conception, traces its origins back to the 15th century. Following the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the Hagia Irene Church was converted into an arsenal (“Cebehane”), later reorganized in 1726 as “Dar-ül Esliha”.
- The foundations of modern Turkish museology were laid in 1846 by Damat Ahmet Fethi Pasha, then in charge of the Tophane arsenal. The Hagia Irene collections were transformed into the “Müze-i Hümayun” (Imperial Museum).
- The museum moved from Hagia Irene to its current location in the former Harbiye building in 1993. The collection has expanded over the years through acquisitions and donations, featuring military artifacts from the 13th century to the present.
Museum Features and Services
- The museum includes exhibitions on the formation of the Turkish Army, the Seljuk Period, the Ottoman Empire’s foundation and rise, the Conquest of Istanbul, and the Gallipoli Campaigns, using dioramas, maps, illuminated panels, sculptures, and original artifacts.
- A special room is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s time at the Military Academy, named the “Harbiyeli Atatürk Class.”
- The museum also houses the Mehter, the world’s oldest military band, and serves as a cultural site for various cultural and artistic activities.
Contact Information
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +90 (212) 233-2720
The Istanbul Harbiye Military Museum stands as a testament to Turkey’s rich military history and the evolution of Turkish museology, offering visitors an in-depth look at the country’s military and cultural heritage.
