Naval Museum

Open everyday except Monday and Tuesday from 09.00 to 17.00
Entrance fee: 3 TL - regular, 1 TL - student

The Naval Museum and Library was founded by Admiral Hüseyin HüsnüPasha in 1897 and opened its first location in the Taşkızak dockyards. When World War II began, the contents of the museum were transported to Konya in Central Anatolia in 1939 for security reasons, and then brought back to Istanbul at the end of the war. In 1960 the museum was re-opened in its present location, the coachmen's quarters of Dolmabahçe Palace. This museum contains over 4,000 items, including boats from the Ottoman period, plates written by famous scribes on naval matters, flags, maps (including the famous "Piri Reis Map"), and other objects from Turkish naval history.

Piri Reis Map
Piri Reis is one of the popular admirals of the Ottoman fleet of the 16th century. He was a member of a naval family; his uncle Kemal Reis was also a famous Ottoman admiral of 15th century. Piri Reis also occupied himself with the science of navigation. The map in question and his book "Bahriye" (means "about sea") testify to his capacity and achievement in theoretic navigation. The Bahriye contains descriptions and drawings of the Mediterranean and of the cities and countries then found on its shores, and also valuable information on navigation.

Piri Reis prepared and drew his map in 1513; this map is polychrome and drawn on gazelle leather great care.
It is believed that the complete map showed the then known areas of the world, that is Europe, Asia, Africa and parts of America as had been discovered. There are notes describing the shores of Antilles, Christopher Columbus' map and another marginal note about South America it is stated that he saw the newly drawn map of four Portuguese explorers.

One of the remarkable points about the Piri Reis map is that the positions on the Atlantic coast of Africa bear Turkish names such as Babadağ (means Mount Father) and Akburun (means White Cape). A second point of interest is that the map is not a copy but an original work based on various maps and on the personal experience of Piri Reis and of his friends.

It a regret that this very important map in our possession is only a fragment; had not the remaining parts being torn away and lost, we would have an excellent Turkish map of both the old and the new worlds drawn as far back as 1513.

Would you like to add your comment about this article? Click here!

Editor's Picks

Antalya Antalya, one of the most breath-taking places of Turkey, because of its spectacular location... more...

Traveling by Bus Every corner of Turkey can be reached from the bus station, or Otogar as it is called here. more...

Best of windsurf spots Recently the number of beaches providing windsurfing facilities has increased and shores are embellished with colorful surf.. more...

Anatolian Civilizations Museum The museum is located southeast of Ankara Citadel and is composed of two Ottoman Buildings. more...

Trattoria da Rosario Trattoria da Rosario is a small but special Italian restaurant hidden amongst the trees in Koşuyolu, Kadıköy. more...

Hamams in Ankara Would you like to take a bath in Karacabey Hamam of 15th century or Şengül Hamam of 18th century? more...

Latest Articles