VIRTUAL MUSEUM IN TURKEY

Eight Virtual Museums from Turkey You Can Tour WithoutSetting Foot Outside the Door

Recently, everyone is forced to spendincreasingly more time at home in front of the computer screen. However, onecan also turn into an advantage the time spent in the virtual world throughentirely new methods of self-development and pick up different interests. Thisis an entirely new age that offers countless possibilities ranging from digitalconcerts to training and sport programs, applied workshops to free filmscreenings... 

Yet another institution that put itsknow-how and expertise into good use to make its contribution with in thistrend is the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. TheMinistry provides virtual tours of eight museums under its administration. Atthe museum halls digitalized in 3D, art lovers can embark upon 360-degreetours, taking a closer look at the artifacts on exhibit.

Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site

With its history of 12,000 years,Göbeklitepe rewrote human history and it is recognized as the world’s oldestcult center ever discovered. Situated in the province of Urfa in southeasternTurkey, Göbeklitepe was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 withits amazing monumental architecture. Göbeklitepe changed most of what we knewabout the Neolithic Age with the host of information it offered documenting thelife of hunter-gatherers, transition into agriculture and animal husbandry,temple architecture and the birth of art. The most interesting findings alsoincluded the T-shaped monumental pillars that are as tall as 6 meters and weighup to 40 tons. Many of the pillars feature human, animal or abstract symbolswhile some have embossed animal figures. The oldest temple ever discovered inthe history of humanity, Göbeklitepe virtual museum tour offers an unparalleledwindow into time for those who have never been to Göbeklitepe before as well asallowing for a closer look at the T-shaped pillars. In the section titled theTemple, you can tour the temple on the platform and effortlessly explore thearea.

Anatolian Civilizations Museum

Situated in the capital of Turkey, Ankara, theAnatolian Civilizations Museum is comprised of two historic buildings, whichare home to unique works in Anatolia since the Paleolithic Age. The museumunderwent renovation in 2014 offering nothing short of a journey in timethrough its virtual tours, animations and replicas of the T-shaped pillars ofGöbeklitepe as well as other artifacts. Selected the ‘Museum of the Year’ in1997, it is among the world’s foremost museums with its unique collections. Theupper hall hosts Paleolithic Age, Chalcolithic Age, Early Bronze Age, AssyrianTrade Colonies, Early Hittite and Hittite Empire, Phrygian Kingdom, LateHittite Kingdom, Urartu Kingdom exhibits while the Anatolia through the agesand classical eras exhibits are available in the lower hall.

Samsun Gazi Museum

Built in 1902 by Jean Ionnis Mantika as a hotel in thecity of Samsun on the Black Sea coastline, this building was named after thefact that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed here when he came to Samsun in May 1919.This event marked the beginning of Turkey’s struggle for liberation andelevated to historical importance the building, which was then given as a giftto Mustafa Kemal Atatürk by the people of Samsun on 12 June 1926. The upperhall of the museum, which features 191 items, also exhibits the wax sculpturesof the 18 comrades of Atatürk that set foot in Samsun on 19 May 1919 togetherwith him.

Ankara Republic Museum

Situated in the capital, when the Ankara RepublicMuseum was launched, it was serving as the building of the second GrandNational Assembly of Turkey. The museum was devoted to the youth of theRepublic as it witnessed the birth of Atatürk’s principles and reforms and themultiparty system. On exhibit at the museum are photographs depicting the termsof the first three presidents, personal effects of the presidents, and theresolutions and laws adopted by the parliament of the time.

İzmir Ephesus Museum

One of the most important museums in Turkey withcountless cultural activities organized and high visitor capacity, the EphesusMuseum’s most conspicuous artifacts include the Ephesus Artemis statue, Erosriding a dolphin, Eros holding a hare, head of Eros, figurine of Priapus,marble Artemis statue, Egyptian priest statue, Isis statue, sculptures ofvarious mythological gods and head of Socrates. Exhibited in the bazaar sectionin the courtyard of the museum are the commercial life in the old Anatolian townsand various handicraft works that are now fading into oblivion. In a separatesection of the museum are gold, silver and copper coins and jewelry over a vastperiod ranging from the Antiquity to the Ottoman era.

Ankara War of Independence Museum

The Ankara War of Independence Museum building housedthe Grand National Assembly of Turkey from 1920 to 1924 before its transfer tothe Ministry of National Education in 1952. In 1957, it was decided that thebuilding would be converted into a museum and was opened to visitors in 1961 asthe “Grand National Assembly Museum.” The Ankara War of Independence Museum,which will particularly appeal those interested in the history of the period,also features documents, arms and paintings from the War of Independence in itshalls as well as the Cabinet Room, Presence Chamber, First Parliament Hall, andthe Chambers of the Speaker of the Assembly.

Çanakkale Troy Museum

Covering a total area of 90,000 square meters spreadacross three stories, the Troy Museum recreates a story divided into sevenparts. Troy, which made its mark in the Alexandria Troas region, which camedown in history with Homer’s Iliad, and life and archaeological history of itscultures are explained through the artifacts recovered from the excavations.Archaeology of the Toras Region, Troy’s Bronze Age, The Iliad and the War ofTroy, Troas and Ilion in Antiquity, Eastern Rome and Ottoman Period, History ofArchaeology, Traces of Troy. Thanks to the virtual tour, which offers amysterious journey among the treasures, sculptures, and sarcophagi from variousperiods, you will witness history.

Ethnography Museum of Ankara

Ethnography Museum of Ankara is yet another museumthat will draw the attention of history buffs. Boasting conspicuous pieces ofTurkish art from the Seljuk era to date, the museum offers samples of nationalcostumes, ornaments, footwear, towels, bundles as well as carpets andtapestries from various regions. Featuring a vast collection including OttomanPeriod bows, arrows, flintlock pistols, muskets, swords, yataghans, Turkishtiles and Kütahya tiles, and items pertaining to Sufism and cults, the museummay be visited through the virtual tour offered by the Ministry of Culture andTourism