Water Museum
The Istanbul Water Museum, established in January 2021 within Adell Armatür ve Vana Fabrikaları A.Ş., showcases artworks related to water, water civilization, and bath culture. The collection culture of the Topçu family, owners of the company and significant leaders in the Turkish bath and kitchen fixtures industry, has evolved into a passion for collecting over four generations. The family began collecting faucets, water containers, and similar items 25 years ago, laying the foundation for the museum’s collection and becoming a registered collector with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in 2008. The collection focuses on themes such as Water and Human, Fountains, Sebils and Faucets, Water and Faith, Water and Healing, Cleanliness, Bathing and Bath Culture, famous spring waters of Istanbul, including faucets and various objects related to water, manuscripts, ephemera, postcards, engravings, paintings, calligraphy, ebru, miniatures, and other traditional Turkish-Islamic art. These artifacts, dating from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman, and early Republican periods, are displayed in an 800 square meter area across two exhibition halls, both chronologically and thematically. The Istanbul Water Museum is a member of the Unesco World Water Museums Network (Wamu-Net) and represents Turkey.
Adell Armatür launched the Istanbul Water Museum as a sustainable social responsibility project, aiming to promote the enduring culture of water and baths from the past to the present, uncover values on the brink of extinction, enhance public awareness about water use, and create a lasting memory. The opening of the museum coincided with the 40th anniversary of Adell Armatür.
Our Heartfelt Social Responsibility Project MUSEUM HISTORY The Istanbul Water Museum, founded in January 2021 within Adell Armatür ve Vana Fabrikaları A.Ş., features artifacts related to water, water culture, and cleanliness from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman, and early Republican periods.
The Topçu family’s culture of preserving family heirlooms related to daily life over four generations turned into a passion for collecting. They started collecting faucets, water containers, and similar items 25 years ago and became a registered collector with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in 2008.
The establishment of the Istanbul Water Museum in 2021, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Adell Armatür (originally founded as Topkar Hardware and Hardware in 1981 and continued as Adell Armatür since 1991), is a significant achievement for the country.
After joint exhibitions and conferences with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and Istanbul Technical University, such as the “Ab-ı Hayat: Water and Water Culture in Istanbul” exhibition in 2010 and the “Water and Water Technologies in Ancient Civilizations” conference and exhibition, the collection was further enriched to its current state.
OPENING HOURS Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: Closed
What’s Inside? COLLECTION Our museum hosts collections related to water from various periods. You can see more during your visit.
Roman and Byzantine Period
- Hellenistic
- Roman Period
- Byzantine Period
- Seljuk Period
Water Culture
- Faucets
- Ottoman Period
Baths and Cleaning Culture
- Meeting Water Needs
- Daily Life
- Water and Bath
- Water and Faith
CONTACT INFORMATION
The museum’s galleries are equipped with ramps and elevators to facilitate access for people with disabilities. Wheelchairs can be provided upon telephone notification one day in advance.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION Phone: 0212 486 20 00 Email: [email protected]
OPENING HOURS Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM The museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
ADMISSION FEES Entry is free until the end of the year. (2023)
TRANSPORTATION From M3 – ZİYA GÖKALP STATION: Bus 98 – FENERTEPE/BAŞAKŞEHİR – BAKIRKÖY
From EMİNÖNÜ: Bus 79E – KAYABAŞI KİPTAŞ / KAYAŞEHİR – EMİNÖNÜ Bus 89C – BAŞAKŞEHİR METROKENT-TAKSİM
