Military Museum and Cultural Center Command

MILITARY MUSEUM and CULTURAL CENTER COMMAND

Military Museum and Cultural Center Command is a museum subordinate to the Military History and Strategic Studies (ATASE) Division, General Staff, deployed in Harbiye district of Istanbul. The Harbiye district, meaning “military”, derives its name from the service buildings of the Military Museum which were used by the Ottoman Empire in its later periods as the Military Academy; the founder of our Republic, The Great Leader Mustafa Kemal ATATURK also graduated from this school. Military Museum and Cultural Center Command collects, classifies, maintains and renovates the works of art that can be regarded as cultural military assets, and stores and exhibits them using modern methods in order to hand them over to the future generations. Military Museum and Cultural Center Command has approximately 55.000 objects in its inventory, 5.000 of which are displayed in the museum's exhibition halls. Communications and computer technologies are used with a view to visually convey the Turkish history to contemporary generation and to create a permanent impression in the minds of the young. The 'Janissary Band' Multi-vision introducing the Janissary Band, Dardanelles Diorama depicting the Battles of Dardanelles and touch-screen computer systems can be regarded as examples of such applications. Military Museum and Cultural Center Command, where the historical artifacts from its collection are exhibited using modern museology techniques in its exhibition halls, presents our cultural wealth inherited from our glorious history to domestic and foreign researchers. Mehteran Company, the oldest band in the world, contributes to the promotion of our country through its concerts throughout the country and abroad. The performances by “Mehteran Company” can be watched in two separate sessions from 15.00 to 16.00 in days the museum is open. The Military Museum is open to public visits every day from 09.00 to 17.00 except on January 1, the first days of the Ramadan Holiday and the Festival of Sacrifices and Mondays and Tuesdays. Archery lessons are given to the visitors at the Cannon Exhibition Hall on Wednesday and Saturday between the hours 14.00 and 15.00. What a great treat- Surprisingly well-done, historical museum in the middle of Istanbul. Highlight was a live presentation of military music @1500 each day. Get to the hall early to get a good view! Too bad I bought a museum pass for most of the local museums after I had gone here. Value was still great! I've been going to the museum for two days and i didn't finish it. Believe me! You will not feel the time over there. It is enjoyable, fascinating and unbelievable. Huge varieties of antiquities, paintings, costumes, weapons and manuscripts. Don't forget to attend the "MEHTER band" the oldest musical band in the history. They perform everyday at 15:00 in the stage. The musium closes on Monday & Tuesday. The attendence fee is only 6,5TL :) dont forget to charge your mobile for shooting!