Last updated on .

The Harbiye Military Museum (Harbiye Askeri Müzesi) in Istanbul is one of the finest of its kind in the world. It’s located in the Harbiye area of Şişli, about a 15 minute walk north of Taksim Square.

Harbiye Military Museum
Harbiye Military Museum

 

Introduction to the Harbiye Military Museum

The Harbiye Military Museum was originally housed in the Byzantine church of Hagia Eirine, inside the First Courtyard of Topkapi Palace. In 1950, it moved to the First Army Headquarters building near Taksim Square. On February 10, 1993, the museum finally opened in its current location, the Mekteb-i Harbiye building, which was built in 1841 to educate Ottoman military officers and operated until 1936.

Mekteb-i Harbiye Building at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Mekteb-i Harbiye Building

The museum boasts a collection of over 65,000 items, of which only 5,000 or so are on display at any one time. They cover Turkish history from its beginnings in Central Asia to the modern Turkish Republic. While it’s called a military museum, it also contains several important historical artifacts. It’s worth visiting even if you aren’t strictly interested in Ottoman and Turkish military history.

Staircase


 

Visiting the Harbiye Military Museum

The museum is open daily except Mondays from 9am to 4:30pm. General admission for foreigners is 400₺ (as of June 2024). Almost all of the information is translated to English. Try to visit at 3pm or 4pm when you can see a concert by the Mehter Band, the world’s oldest military band. Give yourself at least a couple hours to fully enjoy your visit. The museum can be quite overwhelming at times but it’s well worth your time. Also, don’t expect all exhibits to be open. Click here for more detailed information.

Entrance
Entrance

The collection of the Harbiye Military Museum is spread out over two floors. This post follows the suggested path through the museum. It’s in chronological order with the exception of the temporary exhibitions and the outdoor exhibition at the entrance.

 

Keep in Mind…

There’s a great deal of Turkish propaganda on controversial issues such as the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and the Armenian Genocide. They obviously show the Turkish point of view on these issues. Keep in mind that many interpretations are heavily biased and don’t necessarily represent historical fact.

 

Entrance to the Harbiye Military Museum

Once inside the entrance, there’s a large lobby with a gift shop. It contains a scale model of the Mekteb-i Harbiye complex, which houses the museum. It was built in 1841 to educate Ottoman military officers and operated until 1936.

Lobby at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Lobby
Model of the Mekteb-i Harbiye complex at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Model of the Mekteb-i Harbiye complex

At the far end of the hall is a taste of what’s to come at the Harbiye Military Museum. A mannequin of an armored Ottoman soldier as well as display case full of Ottoman weapons and armor sits next to the first exhibition halls.

Armored Ottoman soldier at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Armored Ottoman soldier
Ottoman guns and swords at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Ottoman guns and swords
Ottoman armor
Ottoman armor


 

Battle of Sakarya (Temporary Exhibition)

During my most recent visit to the Harbiye Military Museum in May 2022, the temporary exhibition hall commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Sakarya. The battle took place during the Greco-Turkish War from August 23 to September 13, 1921, near the city of Polatlı. It pitted the forces of Greece against the Turkish National Movement.

Battle of Sakarya exhibition at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Comparison of Greek and Turkish forces in the Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Comparison of Greek and Turkish forces

The Turkish forces, led by Mustafa Kemal (1881-1923) (the future Atatürk), halted the advance of the Greek army, led by General Anastasios Papoulas (1857-1935) and Prince Andrew (1882-1944), the father of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021). The battle was a turning point in the Turkish War of Independence, rallying the Turkish cause and starting a Greek retreat that would see their withdrawal from Asia Minor a year later.

Hierarchy chart of the Greek Army in the Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Hierarchy chart of the Greek Army
Hierarchy chart of the Turkish Army in the Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Hierarchy chart of the Turkish Army
Model of the battlefield in the Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Model of the battlefield

Several artifacts from the battle are on display, including field equipment, uniforms, and weapons, as well as many photos. All the information was in Turkish.

Battle of Sakarya exhibition at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Field equipment in the Battle of Sakarya exhibition
Field equipment

 

Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall

The permanent collection of the Harbiye Military Museum starts with the Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall (Türk Ordusu Kuruluş Salonu). It includes the origins of Turkic peoples along with a “Turkish Family Tree” and a map of important Turkish battles.

Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall
Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall
Turkish family tree at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Turkish family tree
Map of important Turkish battles
Map of important Turkish battles

The hall continues with a profile of different Turkic cultures, including the Huns and Uyghurs. A bust of Attila the Hun (406-453) and a mannequin of a Hun soldier add to the profiles.

Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall
Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall
Uyghur culture
Uyghur culture
Bust of Attila the Hun at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Bust of Attila the Hun
Hun soldier
Hun soldier

The exhibit contains a comparison of the Göktürk and the Uyghur alphabets, which are two ancient Turkic alphabets. It finishes with with a small display of swords and archery equipment, both of which were very important to Central Asian Turkish culture.

Göktürk and Uyghur alphabets at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Göktürk and Uyghur alphabets
Swords at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Swords
Archery equipment
Archery equipment


 

Seljuk Hall

After passing through the Foundation of the Turkish Army Hall, next is the Seljuk Hall (Selçuklu Salonu). It covers the rise of the Seljuks in Anatolia, including their military and cultural contributions. Portraits of Seljuk sultans line one of the walls.

Seljuk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Seljuk Hall

 

Battle of Manzikert

The main focus of the Seljuk hall is the Battle of Manzikert, which took place on August 26, 1071. Sultan Alp Arslan (1029-1072) defeated Byzantine forces led by Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (1030-1072), paving the way for Turkish settlement in Anatolia. It was one of the most important battles in history and completely changed the fate of the region.

Battle of Manzikert in the Seljuk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Battle of Manzikert
Portrait of Alp Arslan in the Seljuk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Portrait of Alp Arslan

 

Other Battles

Another important battle highlighted in the Seljuk Hall is the Battle of Dandanaqan. On May 23, 1040, the Seljuks defeated the Ghaznavid Empire near Merv in modern-day Turkmenistan. This led to the establishment of the Great Seljuk Empire a short time later.

Battle of Dandanaqan in the Seljuk Hall
Battle of Dandanaqan

The Battle of Myriokephalon saw Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (1118-1180) make an unsuccessful attempt to recover Anatolia from the Seljuks under Sultan Kılıç Arslan II (d. 1192) on September 17, 1176.

Battle of Myriokephalon in the Seljuk Hall
Battle of Myriokephalon

To learn about more battles and Seljuk expansion, there’s a wonderful interactive screen. It allows visitors to follow a timeline of the Seljuk Empire and their territory gains across the region.

Interactive timeline in the Seljuk Hall
Interactive timeline

 

Seljuk Contributions

The Seljuks made significant contributions in science, philosophy, and art. These are all highlighted in paintings as well as samples of beautiful 13th century tiles excavated from Kubadabad Palace in Beyşehir.

Seljuk contributions to science in the Seljuk Hall
Seljuk contributions to science
Seljuk contributions to philosophy and thought in the Seljuk Hall
Seljuk contributions to philosophy and thought
13th century tiles excavated from Kubadabad Palace in the Seljuk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
13th century tiles excavated from Kubadabad Palace

 

Turkish Language

Also covered is the decree by Karamanoğlu Mehmed Bey on May 13, 1277. He was a devotee of the Turkish language and declared that nobody in the palace or any member of the imperial council was allowed to speak any language other than Turkish.

Karamanoğlu Mehmed Bey in the Seljuk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Karamanoğlu Mehmed Bey


 

Great Turkish States Introduction Area

After the Seljuk Hall is the Great Turkish States Introduction Area (Büyük Türk Devletleri Tanıtım Alanı). It’s an outdoor courtyard containing the busts of great leaders from different Turkish cultures. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) is in the center.

Great Turkish States Introduction Area
Great Turkish States Introduction Area
Great Turkish States Introduction Area
Great Turkish States Introduction Area

 

Ottoman State Establishment Hall

The Harbiye Military Museum continues with the Ottoman State Establishment Hall (Osmanlı Devleti Kuruluş Salonu). It covers the origins of the Ottoman Empire. Portraits of the first six Ottoman sultans line the back wall with their tughras sitting above.

Portraits of the first Ottoman sultans at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Portraits of the first Ottoman sultans

In the center of the room is the standard carried into the Battle of Kosovo on June 15, 1389, which saw the invading Ottomans fight against Serbian troops. Both leaders, Ottoman Sultan Murad I and Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, died on the battlefield. Both armies were also wiped out.

Ottoman standard from the Battle of Kosovo in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall
Ottoman standard from the Battle of Kosovo

The oldest Ottoman artifact in the museum is in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall. It’s a sword belonging to Köse Mihal (d. 1340). It dates back to the late 13th or early 14th century and was confirmed on December 5, 2020. Köse Mihal was a contemporary and close friend of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He was originally an ethnic Greek Byzantine governor who became the first significant Christian leader to become an Ottoman subject. He converted to Islam sometime between 1304 and 1313, played a significant role in the creation of the Ottoman state, and participated in the Siege of Bursa.

Sword belonging to Köse Mihal in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sword belonging to Köse Mihal

Previously, the oldest artifact in the Harbiye Military Museum was thought to be the helmet of Orhan, the son of Osman I and the second Ottoman sultan.

Helmet belonging to Orhan in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Helmet belonging to Orhan

Other important artifacts on display include a 14th century chain mail shirt and a Quran dated March 25, 1289. Both items belonged to Ghazi Evrenos Bey (d. 1417). He was one of the most successful Ottoman military commanders in history and conquered several cities.

14th century chain mail shirt in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
14th century chain mail shirt
13th century Quran in the Ottoman State Establishment Hall
13th century Quran

 

Sultan Mehmed II Corner

In a corridor before the next section is a corner dedicated to Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The Sultan Mehmed II Corner (Fatih Köşesi) depicts the Sultan flanked by janissaries and his advisor, Akşemseddin (1389-1459), as they enter Constantinople from Edirnekapı in 1453. The rest of the corridor contains portraits of successive Ottoman sultans.

Mehmed the Conqueror entering Constantinople in 1453 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Mehmed the Conqueror entering Constantinople in 1453
Portraits of Ottoman sultans in the Ground Floor Corridor Exhibition Area
Portraits of Ottoman sultans


 

Conquest of Istanbul Hall

The Conquest of Istanbul Hall (İstanbul’un Fethi Salonu) is the next section of the museum. It places a great emphasis on the Fall of Constantinople. The hall contains a huge diorama depicting the Ottoman army breaching the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople on May 29, 1453.

Conquest of Istanbul Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Conquest of Istanbul Hall
Diorama of the Conquest of Constantinople
Diorama of the Conquest of Constantinople

There are a number of maps and models describing how the Ottomans managed to take the city. They include a map of Byzantine Constantinople before the Ottoman conquest as well as a model of Rumeli Fortress, which Mehmed the Conqueror built on the Bosporus in 1452 to prepare for his attack on the city.

Map of Byzantine Constantinople in the Conquest of Istanbul Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Map of Byzantine Constantinople
Model of Rumeli Fortress in the Conquest of Istanbul Hall
Model of Rumeli Fortress

Personally, the most interesting artifact in this section is the chain the Byzantines placed at the entrance of the Golden Horn to keep ships from entering. It was presented quite differently on my two visits to the museum in 2012 and 2022. There’s also a model showing how the Ottomans transported their ships over land behind the Genoese colony of Galata to place them in the Golden Horn.

Byzantine chain exhibit in February 2012 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Byzantine chain exhibit in February 2012
Byzantine chain exhibit in May 2022 in the Conquest of Istanbul Hall
Byzantine chain exhibit in May 2022
Model of Ottoman ships being transported around Galata into the Golden Horn in the Conquest of Istanbul Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Model of Ottoman ships being transported around Galata into the Golden Horn

Finally, another artifact of note is a flag labeled as Byzantine from the 15th century. It looks more like a 19th century Greek flag because it contains a blue cross with an image of St. George on a white horse slaying a dragon.

Flag labeled as 15th century Byzantine in the Conquest of Istanbul Hall
Flag labeled as 15th century Byzantine

 

Ottoman Rising Period Hall

The final Ottoman section is the Ottoman Rising Period Hall (Osmanlı Devleti Yükselme Dönemi Salonu). It covers the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.

Ottoman Rising Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Ottoman Rising Period Hall

One of the most important battles in Ottoman history, the Battle of Mohács, takes center stage in this section. It occurred on August 29, 1526, between the Kingdom of Hungary, led by King Lajos II, and the Ottoman Empire, led by Süleyman the Magnificent. The Hungarian king died in battle and it led to end of Hungarian independence until after World War I.

Diorama of the Battle of Mohács in the Ottoman Rising Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Diorama of the Battle of Mohács
Drum used at the Battle of Mohács in the Ottoman Rising Period Hall
Drum used at the Battle of Mohács

Artifacts on display include weapons and defensive equipment as well as swords and sheaths belonging to Ottoman sultans during this successful period in Ottoman history.

Weapons and armor from the Ottoman period in the Ottoman Rising Period Hall
Weapons and armor from the Ottoman period
Swords and sheaths belonging to Ottoman sultans in the Ottoman Rising Period Hall
Swords and sheaths belonging to Ottoman sultans
Sword and sheath belonging to Süleyman the Magnificent in the Ottoman Rising Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Sword and sheath belonging to Süleyman the Magnificent


 

Weapons Collection at the Harbiye Military Museum

Countless weapons belonging to both the Ottomans and several other nations make up the weapons collection of the Harbiye Military Museum.

 

Ground Floor Corridor Exhibition Area

The collection begins in the Ground Floor Corridor Exhibition Area. It runs along a long corridor opening onto the main rooms of the weapons collection. Along with portraits of Ottoman sultans, it contains cutting weapons, standard finals, axes, Circassian daggers, European helmets, gold plated objects, firearms equipment, artillery equipment, and more.

Ground Floor Corridor Exhibition Area at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Ground Floor Corridor Exhibition Area

One item that caught my eye was a silver-plated rifle with an interesting story. Sultan Mahmud II was inspecting a military barracks while under disguise. The guard failed to recognize the Sultan and attempted to hit him with the butt of the rifle. The Sultan rewarded the guard for his attention to duty by having the rifle plated with silver.

Silver-plated rifle (early 19th century)

 

Cutting Weapons

The rooms of the weapons collection start with the Cutting Weapons Hall (Kesici Silahlar Salonu). It’s made up of two rooms displaying daggers, swords, and other cutting weapons from both Islamic and European nations. The oldest Islamic weapon on display dates back to the 12th century.

18th and 19th century Indonesian daggers in Cutting Weapons Hall 1
18th and 19th century Indonesian daggers
Cutting Weapons Hall 2
Cutting Weapons Hall 2

 

Defense Weapons Hall

The Defense Weapons Hall (Savunma Silahları Salonu) is housed in two rooms. The first room contains a rich collection of European helmets. The oldest helmets date back to the 14th century.  It’s easy to see the evolution of helmets throughout the years, from closed helmets being replaced by open-faced helmets.

Defence Weapons Hall 1 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Defence Weapons Hall 1
Russian helmet (17th century) in Defence Weapons Hall 1 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Russian helmet (17th century)
Steel helmets (19th century) in Defence Weapons Hall 1
Steel helmets (19th century)

The Islamic defense weapons in the second room cover a period from the 14th century to the late 18th century. They include helmets, chain mail, shields, knee plates, and more.

Defence Weapons Hall 2
Islamic helmets and armor at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Islamic helmets and armor
Persian helmets and Ottoman shields in Defence Weapons Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Persian helmets and Ottoman shields
Persian shield (18th century) in Defence Weapons Hall 2
Persian shield (18th century)

Some of the pieces that caught my eye include two chain mail shirts belonging to Islamic rulers. One belonged to Shirvanshah Khalilullah I (r. 1418-1464) while the other was owned by Aq Qoyunlu Sultan Ya’qub (r. 1479-1490). There are also a few African shields made out of animals, including crocodile skins and tortoise shells.

Chain mail shirt belonging to Shirvanshah Khalilullah I in Defence Weapons Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Chain mail shirt belonging to Shirvanshah Khalilullah I
Chain mail shirt belonging to Aq Qoyunlu Sultan Ya'qub in Defence Weapons Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Chain mail shirt belonging to Aq Qoyunlu Sultan Ya’qub
African shields at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
African shields


 

Firearms Hall

The Firearms Hall (Ateşli Silahlar Salonu) takes up two rooms. They display firearms with matchlock, flintlock, caplock and pin mechanisms. The first room includes guns made in Europe and the United States. They range from the 16th to 20th centuries.

American revolvers in Firearms Hall 1
American revolvers
Small caliber pistols in Firearms Hall 1
Small caliber pistols
Firearms Hall 1
Firearms Hall 1
Austrian revolvers (19th century) in Firearms Hall 1
Austrian revolvers (19th century)

The second room contains several beautiful Ottoman rifles, many with ornate decorations adorning the butts and barrels. Among some of the more interesting pieces are cane rifles.

Firearms Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Firearms Hall 2
Flintlock rifles in Firearms Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Flintlock rifles
Ottoman cane rifles (19th century) in Firearms Hall 2 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Ottoman cane rifles (19th century)

There’s also a pistol set belonging to Ottoman General Nuri Killigil (1889-1949), who served in Caucasia, Iran, and Libya during World War I. Some of the pistol parts were completed in Istanbul while the rest were completed in Poland.

Pistol belonging to General Nuri Killigil (Turkish, 20th century)
Pistol belonging to General Nuri Killigil (Turkish, 20th century)

 

Cannon Models Hall

At the end of the hallway is the Cannon Models Hall (Top Maketleri Salonu). It includes model cannons made of wood, bronze, iron, and brass.

Model Cannons Hall
Model Cannons Hall

Across from the models is Memento of Bravery Cannon (Hatıra-i Celadet Topu). It was displayed at Beyazıt Square to raise money for the families of the soldiers killed during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Enver Pasha (1881-1922) was at the unveiling ceremony.

Memento of Bravery Cannon
Memento of Bravery Cannon

 

Archery and Cavalry Hall

The final section of the weapons collection at the Harbiye Military Museum I was able to visit was the Archery and Cavalry Hall (Atıcılık ve Binicilik Salonu). The archery section includes Ottoman bows, arrows, cases, targets, and wrist protectors dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Cavalry and Archery Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Cavalry and Archery Hall
Turkish arrows in the Cavalry and Archery Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Turkish arrows
Turkish leather arrow target (18th-19th century) in the Cavalry and Archery Hall
Turkish leather arrow target (18th-19th century)
Turkish arrows (18th-19th century) in the Cavalry and Archery Hall
Turkish arrows (18th-19th century)

The cavalry section contains saddles, blankets, whips, spurs, stirrups, horseshoes, and other items related to riding. There’s also a model of the Selimiye Barracks, located in the Selimiye neighborhood on the Asian side.

Cavalry items
Model of the Selimiye Barracks


 

Atatürk’s Classroom

A room in the middle of the weapons collection displays a replica military academy classroom from the early 20th century. The focus is on Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who studied in the building between 1899 and 1905. He graduated from the War Academy as a lieutenant in 1902 and from the War College as a staff captain in 1905. The room depicts Atatürk in a class sometime between 1903 and 1905.

Atatürk's classroom at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Atatürk’s classroom

Each student has a nameplate representing a classmate of Atatürk. The display cases in the room contain photos as well as learning materials such as books, maps, and supplies.

Atatürk’s classroom
Educational materials in Atatürk's classroom
Educational materials

 

Ground Floor Galleries Closed to the Public

Further sections on the ground floor of the Harbiye Military Museum include the Artillery Hall (Top Teşhir Salonu); Mehter Band Instruments Hall (Mehter Enstrümanları Salonu); Uniforms Hall (Askerî Kıyafetler Salonu); and the Flags and Standards Hall (Sancaklar ve Bayraklar Salonu). For some reason, all of those sections were closed to the public on both of my visits to the museum 10 years apart.


 

Constitutional Period

After visiting the weapons collection, the Harbiye Military Museum shifts upstairs to the first floor. The First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area opens to several rooms, starting with the Constitutional Period of the Ottoman Empire and continuing in chronological order to World War I and the Turkish War of Independence.

First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area

 

Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall

First is the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall (Mahmut Şevket Paşa Salonu). It focuses on the assassination of Grand Vizier Mahmud Şevket Pasha (1856-1913) on June 11, 1913.

Portrait of Mahmud Şevket Pasha
Portrait of Mahmud Şevket Pasha
Table belonging to Mahmud Şevket Pasha
Table belonging to Mahmud Şevket Pasha

Sitting in the center of the room is the car in which Mahmud Şevket Pasha was assassinated. He was riding along the Divan Yolu on his way to the Sublime Porte. The windows still show the bullet holes.

Car in which Mahmud Şevket Pasha was assassinated in the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Car in which Mahmud Şevket Pasha was assassinated
Car in which Mahmud Şevket Pasha was assassinated in the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Car in which Mahmud Şevket Pasha was assassinated

Mahmud Şevket Pasha was the last independent personality in the Ottoman Empire. The power of the Sultan had diminished greatly before he was killed, and the government soon after shifted to a Turkish nationalist dictatorship which lasted until the end of World War I.

Cloak worn by Mahmud Şevket Pasha during his assassination
Cloak worn by Mahmud Şevket Pasha during his assassination
Shirt worn by Mahmud Şevket Pasha during his assassination in the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Shirt worn by Mahmud Şevket Pasha during his assassination
Bullets taken out of Mahmud Şevket Pasha
Bullets taken out of Mahmud Şevket Pasha

The uniform of Captain Hilmi Bey, who was killed chasing after the assassins, is on display along with the other artifacts related to the murder.

Uniform of Captain Hilmi Bey in the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall
Uniform of Captain Hilmi Bey
Pistols belonging to the assassins of Mahmud Şevket Pasha in the Mahmud Şevket Pasha Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Pistols belonging to the assassins of Mahmud Şevket Pasha

 

Constitutional Period Hall

The next room is the Constitutional Period Hall (Meşrutiyet Dönemi Salonu). It contains items related to the Ottoman Empire before World War I.

Constitutional Period Hall
Parts of a German Mauser rifle (1887 model) in the Constitutional Period Hall
Parts of a German Mauser rifle (1887 model)
Items belonging to Prof. Dr. General Tevfik Sağlam in the Constitutional Period Hall
Items belonging to Prof. Dr. General Tevfik Sağlam
Hat belonging to the assassinated Hasan Rıza Pasha (1871-1913)
Hat belonging to the assassinated Hasan Rıza Pasha (1871-1913)

Some of the most interesting items on display include desks used by Sultan Abdülhamid II and Enver Pasha (1881-1922). There’s also a marshal coat belonging to Ahmed Tevfik Pasha (1845-1936), who served three terms as Grand Vizier. In fact, he was the last Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire.

Desk belonging to Sultan Abdülhamid II in the Constitutional Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Desk belonging to Sultan Abdülhamid II
Desk belonging to Enver Pasha in the Constitutional Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Desk belonging to Enver Pasha
Coat belonging to Ahmed Tevfik Pasha in the Constitutional Period Hall
Coat belonging to Ahmed Tevfik Pasha

Further along in another room are gifts from Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria. They were presented to Abdülhamid II on the occasion of his 25th anniversary on the throne. 19th century officer’s caps from Romania as well as Austrian and Prussian headgear are displayed in the same room.

Gifts presented to Sultan Abdülhamid II from Emperor Franz Josef I
Gifts presented to Sultan Abdülhamid II from Emperor Franz Josef I in the Constitutional Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Gifts presented to Sultan Abdülhamid II from Emperor Franz Josef I
19th century Romanian officer's caps in the Constitutional Period Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
19th century Romanian officer’s caps
19th century Austrian and Prussian headgear in the Constitutional Period Hall
19th century Austrian and Prussian headgear


 

The Ottoman Empire and World War I

The next section on the first floor focuses on the role of the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

 

World War I Hall

The first rooms belong to the World War I Hall (Birinci Dünya Savaşı Salonu). It has a wealth of artifacts including uniforms, medals, weapons, flags, and other items.

World War I Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
World War I Hall
Silk carpet presented to Grand Vizier Talat Pasha commemorating the Gallipoli Campaign
Silk handkerchief commemorating the Greco-Turkish War of 1897
Greek fez in the World War I Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Greek fez

Items cover all fronts of the war in which the Ottoman Empire fought. There are items left over from the battlefield as well as items captured from opposing forces.

British flag captured in Iraq in the World War I Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
British flag captured in Iraq
Artifacts from the Sarıkamış Campaign in the World War I Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Artifacts from the Sarıkamış Campaign
Headgear belonging to a Russian consular staff member
Headgear belonging to a Russian consular staff member

One display case is dedicated to Enver Pasha (1881-1922), the Ottoman Minister of War during World War I. It hold a few of his uniforms, rifles, and personal items.

Items belonging to Enver Pasha in the World War I Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Items belonging to Enver Pasha
Items belonging to Enver Pasha in the World War I Hall
Items belonging to Enver Pasha


 

Battle of Dardanelles Hall

Special attention is given to the Gallipoli Campaign in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall (Çanakkale Savaşları Salonu). The campaign was a defining moment in Turkish history and the accomplishments and bravery of the Ottoman forces will be etched in the country’s collective memory for ages to come.

Findings from the Gallipoli battlefields in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Findings from the Gallipoli battlefields
Findings from the Gallipoli battlefields in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall
Findings from the Gallipoli battlefields

The First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area and one room contains several materials picked up from the battlefield. Tools, barbed wire, buttons, canteens, unexploded grenades, and even jawbones of fallen soldiers are on display.

Materials picked up from the Gallipoli battlefields in the First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area
Materials picked up from the Gallipoli battlefields
Items from the Gallipoli Campaign at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Items from the Gallipoli Campaign

Flags belonging to ANZAC forces as well as a hat used by an ANZAC soldier are also showcased. One of the cases includes an Ottoman flag returned to Turkey by the government of New Zealand in 1954.

Items from the Gallipoli Campaign at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Items from the Gallipoli Campaign
Hat used by an ANZAC soldier in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Hat used by an ANZAC soldier
Flag presented to Turkey by the government of New Zealand in 1954 in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall
Flag presented to Turkey by the government of New Zealand in 1954

A model of the battlefields shows how rugged the terrain was during the war. There are also personal items belonging to Ahmet Ragıp Akyavaş (1890-1969), a Turkish veteran of the Gallipoli Campaign.

Model of the Gallipoli battlefields in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Model of the Gallipoli battlefields
Items belonging to Ahmet Ragıp Akyavaş in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall
Items belonging to Ahmet Ragıp Akyavaş

Another room dedicated to the Dardanelles includes a diorama of a battlefield as well as items used by Ottoman soldiers.

Diorama of the Gallipoli Campaign in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Diorama of the Gallipoli Campaign
Ottoman Army artifacts in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Ottoman Army artifacts

There are also several items captured from foreign forces. Many items belonging to British and French soldiers are among them. One British soldier’s hat even contains the signature of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938).

Hat captured from a British soldier at Arıburnu containing Atatürk's signature in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Hat captured from a British soldier at Arıburnu containing Atatürk’s signature
Telephone captured from the French submarine Turquoise in the Battle of Dardanelles Hall
Telephone captured from the French submarine Turquoise
French flag captured from French units that landed at the Dardanelles
French flag captured from French units that landed at the Dardanelles

 

Armenian Question with Documents Hall

The final section dealing with the World War I period in the Harbiye Military Museum is the Armenian Question with Documents Hall (Belgelerle Ermeni Sorunu Salonu). It covers the Turkish perspective of the Armenian genocide, a dark and shameful event in human history.

Armenian Question with Documents Hall

Obviously, the documents and photos presented in the exhibit try to persuade visitors that the Armenian genocide wasn’t an Ottoman government policy, but was in self-defense and perpetrated by murderous Armenians themselves. They include documents such as a list of Armenians appointed as translators in the Ottoman Army and photos showing purported atrocities committed against Turks, including massacres of women and children.

List of Armenians appointed as translators in the Ottoman Army
List of Armenians appointed as translators in the Ottoman Army
Photos of alleged atrocities committed by Armenians against Turks
Photo of women and children allegedly massacred by Armenians near Kars
Photo of women and children allegedly massacred by Armenians near Kars

Of great historic value is the blood-stained shirt worn by Talat Pasha (1874-1921) when he was assassinated by Soghomon Tehlirian (1896-1960) in Berlin on March 15, 1921. Talat Pasha was a former Grand Vizier and one of the perpetrators of the Armenian genocide and other atrocities. As Minister of the Interior, he issued the orders for mass deportations of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks, as well as the Turkification and deportation of Kurds. A few items he owned are displayed next to his shirt.

Shirt worn by Talat Pasha when he was assassınated
Shirt worn by Talat Pasha when he was assassınated


 

Turkish War of Independence

The final sections of the first floor of the Harbiye Military Museum focus on the military during the Turkish War of Independence and the foundation of the Turkish Republic.

 

War of Independence Hall

Exhibits begin with the War of Independence Hall (Kurtuluş Savaşı Salonu). First, in the First Floor Corridor Exhibition Area is a display case featuring items captured from the headquarters of the Greek Army commander General Nikolaos Trikoupis (1868-1956). One of the items includes the flag that flew over Smyrna (now Izmir) when it was occupied by the Greek Army.

War of Independence Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
War of Independence Hall
Items captured from the headquarters of the Greek Army commander in the War of Independence Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Items captured from the headquarters of the Greek Army commander
Envelope from Smyrna in the War of Independence Hall
Envelope from Smyrna

A special section dedicated to Marshall Fevzi Çakmak (1876-1950) makes up an important part of the War of Independence Hall. It includes a mannequin of Çakmak at his desk. His personal items are exhibited as well.

Fevzi Çakmak in the War of Independence Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Fevzi Çakmak
Machine pistol belonging to Fevzi Çakmak
Machine pistol belonging to Fevzi Çakmak

The uniform of Demirci Mehmet Efe (1883-1961), a village hero who fought against Greek forces during the Turkish War of Independence, is included in another display.

Uniform of Demirci Mehmet Efe at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Uniform of Demirci Mehmet Efe

Other items include Greek flags, swords, and more items captured from the Greek army throughout the war.

Items taken from the Greeks during the Turkish War of Independence
Items taken from the Greeks during the Turkish War of Independence

 

Great Offensive

A scene depicting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of the Turkish Republic, meeting with his men to plan the Great Offensive, is one of the highlights of the War of Independence Hall. The offensive resulted in the expulsion of Greek troops from Anatolia. Atatürk, the Commander in Chief, is sitting on the left front side. The other men are Western Front Chief of Staff Brigadier General Asım Gündüz (1880-1970) (left rear); Staff Captain Ali Ögel (1886-1973) (right rear); and Commander of the Western Front Major General İsmet İnönü (1884-1973) (right front).

Atatürk meeting with his men
Atatürk meeting with his men

Items belonging to Asım Gündüz are on display in an earlier section. They include two Walther pistols given to him by the German government in 1939 to mark the 50th birthday of Adolf Hitler.

Items belonging to Asım Gündüz
Items belonging to Asım Gündüz
Pistons given to Asım Gündüz in the War of Independence Hall
Pistols given to Asım Gündüz


 

The Military of the Turkish Republic

The next galleries at the Harbiye Military Museum move on to the military of the Turkish Republic, from its foundation to the present.

 

Gifts from Foreign Dignitaries

After walking down a long corridor lined with paintings, there’s a room filled with gifts presented by foreign dignitaries. They include many rare weapons, such as cane rifles, revolvers, and jewel encrusted swords.

Gifts from foreign dignitaries at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Gifts from foreign dignitaries
Cane rifle from Pakistan
Cane rifle from Pakistan
Revolver from the United States (top) and rifle from Pakistan
Revolver from the United States (top) and rifle from Pakistan
Sword presented by the King of Morocco
Sword presented by the King of Morocco

 

Chiefs of the General Staff

The Harbiye Military Museum continues with the Chiefs of the General Staff Hall (Genelkurmay Başkanları Salonu). It honors each and every Chief of the General Staff, or commander-in-chief, of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Chiefs of General Staff Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Chiefs of General Staff Hall
Chiefs of General Staff Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Chiefs of the General Staff Hall
Items belonging to Turkish generals in the Chiefs of General Staff Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Items belonging to Turkish generals

Uniforms, awards, photos, weapons, and gifts presented to the generals are on display. In addition, there’s a short biography of each chief.

Items belonging to General Kâzım Orbay (1887-1964)
Items belonging to General Kâzım Orbay (1887-1964)
Model of the Al-Aqsa Mosque given to General Cemal Tural (1905-1981) by King Hussein of Jordan
Model of the Al-Aqsa Mosque given to General Cemal Tural (1905-1981) by King Hussein of Jordan
İlker Başbuğ exhibit in the Chiefs of General Staff Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
İlker Başbuğ exhibit


 

Korea and Cyprus Hall

The final gallery covering the Turkish Republic is the Korea and Cyprus Hall (Kore-Kıbrıs Salonu). It’s dedicated to Turkey’s participation in the Korean War as well as the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Several flags, weapons, helmets, and uniforms from both wars are exhibited.

Korean War in the Korea & Cyprus Hall
Korean War
Korean War in the Korea & Cyprus Hall
Korean War
Items from the Korean War
Items from the Korean War

 

Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

Visitors should take note that the section focusing on Cyprus is heavy on Turkish propaganda. It notes the invasion as a “peace operation”, and the island continues to be divided to this day. In fact, there are many parallels between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974.

Turkish invasion of Cyprus in the Korea & Cyprus Hall
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus in the Korea & Cyprus Hall
Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Turkey has colonized the northern ⅓ of Cyprus and set up a puppet state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, that is not recognized by any country on earth other than Turkey. Nicosia, the largest city and capital, is also divided.

Clever allegedly used by Greeks against Turks during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Clever allegedly used by Greeks against Turks
Submachine gun captured from the Greeks during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Submachine gun captured from the Greeks
Guns captured during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Guns captured during the invasion
Weapons from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Weapons from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Among the items from Turkish invasion of Cyprus are Greek flags, and photos as well as uniforms and weapons from captured soldiers. There’s also a uniform belonging to an American soldier of Greek descent who was in Cyprus in 1974.

Items used during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Items used during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Uniform of a US officer of Greek descent in 1974 Cyprus
Uniform of a US officer of Greek descent in 1974 Cyprus
Standard used during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Standard
Standard used during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Standard

 

Bloody Christmas

One section does highlight Bloody Christmas, a barbaric event that occurred mostly at the hands of Greek Cypriots. Inter-communal violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots broke out on December 20, 1963. On December 24, The wife and three children of Dr. Nihat İlhan (1924-2016), the chief medical officer of the Turkish Cypriot forces, were brutally murdered by nationalist Cypriots while hiding in the bathroom of their home.

Personal belongings of the wife and children of Dr. Nihat İlhan during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Personal belongings of the wife and children of Dr. Nihat İlhan

In the end, around 25,000 Turkish Cypriots and 500 Greek Cypriots were displaced along with 1,200 Armenian Cypriots. 174 Greek Cypriots and 364 Turkish Cypriots were killed.


 

Atatürk Hall

The final two galleries I visited at the Harbiye Military Museum started on the first floor with the Atatürk Hall (Atatürk Salonu). It’s a huge room with several cases containing items and clothing belonging to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Atatürk Hall
Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Atatürk Hall
Clothing worn by Atatürk in the Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Clothing worn by Atatürk
Silk underwear, pillow, pajamas, and bath clogs in the Atatürk Hall
Silk underwear, pillow, pajamas, and bath clogs

Items used by Atatürk other than clothing include cigarette accessories, stationary, and cutlery, among others.

Cigarette accessories in the Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Cigarette accessories
Stationary in the Atatürk Hall
Stationary
Cutlery and meal sets in the Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Cutlery and meal sets
Photos of Atatürk attending a wedding at Dolmabahçe Palace along with personal items
Photos of Atatürk attending a wedding at Dolmabahçe Palace along with personal items

A standard presented to Atatürk by the people of Izmir as well as a model of his final resting place, Anıtkabir, located in Ankara, are also displayed.

Standard and waistcoat in the Atatürk Hall
Standard and waistcoat
Model of Anıtkabir in the Atatürk Hall at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Model of Anıtkabir

 

Gallery of Martyrs

Heading back down to the ground floor, visitors pass through the Gallery of Martyrs (Şehitler Galerisi) before exiting the Harbiye Military Museum. It’s a large room dedicated to all of the soldiers who lost their lives in battle from the beginning of Turkish history through the Turkish Republic.

Gallery of Martyrs at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Gallery of Martyrs

One of the features of the gallery is the Memory Wall, which includes the names of major battles involving Turkish armies. The famous quote by Atatürk, “Peace at home, peace in the world” (“Yurtta sulh, cihanda sulh”) is written on the left side of the wall in several languages.

Memory Wall in the Gallery of Martyrs
Memory Wall
Memory Wall in the Gallery of Martyrs at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Memory Wall

Finally, near the exit there are a pair of marble slabs etched with Ottoman Turkish script. The slabs list the names of Ottoman military academy graduates who were killed in action during the Gallipoli Campaign from February 17, 1915, to January 9, 1916. They were originally located at the entrance of the building when it functioned as a military academy.

Marble slabs with military academy graduates killed in action during the Gallipoli Campaign in the Gallery of Martyrs at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Marble slabs with military academy graduates killed in action during the Gallipoli Campaign


 

Outdoor Exhibition

The outdoor exhibition of the Harbiye Military Museum has some interesting pieces. They’re displayed in the garden just inside the entrance to the complex.

Garden at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Garden

 

Modern Weapons and War Machines

Two of the largest items include a heavy artillery gun sitting in the center of the garden as well as a Turkish fighter jet.

Heavy artillery gun
Heavy artillery gun
Heavy artillery gun
Heavy artillery gun
Fighter jet
Fighter jet

There’s also a Soviet-made T-26B light tank dating back to 1932. The tank was purchased in 1934 and used from 1935 to 1943.

T-26B light tank; Soviet; 1932 at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
T-26B light tank; Soviet; 1932

 

Ottoman Cannons

Two historic weapons include a pair of 15th century bronze cannons from the Ottoman era. They were built during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. One of the cannons could very well have taken part in the Fall of Constantinople. The craftsmanship on the other cannon was so fine it was probably meant as a gift to the Sultan.

15th century Ottoman bronze cannon
15th century Ottoman bronze cannon
Decorative 15th century Ottoman bronze cannon at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Decorative 15th century Ottoman bronze cannon

 

Archery Stone

Mixed in with the weapons is an archery stone commemorating a 654 meter record shot by Hüsameddin Ağa, the chief coffee maker for Sultan Selim III. The stone was erected in 1789 at Okmeydanı and found in two pieces. It’s kept at the Harbiye Military Museum to honor Ottoman archery.

Hüsameddin Ağa archery stone at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Hüsameddin Ağa archery stone
Hüsameddin Ağa archery stone
Hüsameddin Ağa archery stone


 

Dining Hall of the Ottoman Military Academy

Finally, the dining hall for the former Ottoman military academy sits near the exhibition. It was erected in the beginning of the 20th century by Sultan Abdülhamid II.

Dining hall of the Ottoman military academy at the Harbiye Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Dining hall
Dining hall of the Ottoman military academy
Dining hall

 

Map with the Harbiye Military Museum

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

Write A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jump To