Ethnographic Museum Ankara

The Ethnographic Museum is located in the Namazgâh district of Ankara, on the hill in front of the Muslim cemetery. The General Manager of the foundation funds donated this hill to the Ministry of Public Education for the construction of the Museum by government decision on November 15, 1925.

A special commission was established in İstanbul in 1924 to collect and purchase artifacts, headed by Professors Celal Esad (Arseven) and Halil Ethem (Eldem), Director of the İstanbul Museum. 1250 artifacts were collected and brought to the Museum's display in 1927, Hamit Zübeyr Koşay was appointed Museum Director in the same year.

On April 15, 1928, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha (the first president Atatürk) visited the Museum and asked for its opening on the occasion of the visit of the King of Afghanistan Amanullah Han. The museum was opened on 18 July 1930. In November 1938, the courtyard was set aside as a temporary mausoleum for Atatürk, who remained there until he was transferred to his Mausoleum in 1953. The old grave is kept as a symbolic mausoleum in memory of Atatürk . The inscription on the white marble means: "This is where Atatürk, who passed away on November 10, 1938, rested from November 21, 1938 to November 11, 1953."

The Ethnographic Museum has been used as a mausoleum of President Atatürk for 15 years. Many foreign diplomatic missions, ambassadors and even presidents of many countries have come to the Museum to visit the tomb of President Atatürk. From 1953 to 1956, refurbishment work was carried out in preparation for International Museum Week, which took place from 6 to 14 November 1956.

The building has a rectangular plan with a single dome. The walls are covered with raw sandstone, and the marble part has carved decoration. The building is accessed by a 28-step staircase with access from three sides with four columns. Originally there was a marble pool in the middle of the courtyard, and the roof was open. However, after being used as a temporary mausoleum by Atatürk, the roof was covered and the pool was moved into the garden. Symmetrical large and small halls surround the inner courtyard. The two-storey administrative area is adjacent to the Museum.
At the request of the Ministry of Public Education in 1927, the Italian artist B. Conanica made a bronze statue of Atatürk in front of the Museum. Displayed in the Ethnographic Museum are examples of Turkish art dating from the Seljuk period to the present day. .

To the right of the Museum's entrance is a hall displaying artifacts from Anatolian wedding ceremonies and exhibitions of bridal costumes from different Anatolian cities, a hall displaying Turkish embroidery products and techniques, and a lobby displaying Turkish embroidery techniques and products. exhibiting samples of Turkish rugs and rugs and an Anatolian coffee culture gallery.

To the left of the entrance is a brick and glass artifact display area, a lobby displaying objects donated by Besim Atalay, a lobby displaying Ottoman calligraphy products, and a hall containing a number of wooden artifacts. from the Seljuk period and the period of cities.

In addition, the Museum has a specialized library that includes exceptional works on Anatolian ethnography and folklore and art history.

Business hours:

Daily, from 08:00 to 17:00

Closed on Mondays

Fare:

Adults: 5 liras/pax

Address: Address: Talatpasa Bulvari, Opera / Ankara
Phone: +90 (312) 311 95 56