Maritime museum to open in Aegean town

ÇEŞME - Anatolia News Agency

The maritime museum will display objects reflecting Turkish maritime history. AA photo

İzmir’s popular holiday resort Çeşme, regarded as the birthplace of the Turkish maritime industry, will soon have a maritime museum, according to Mayor Faik Tütüncüoğlu.

Speaking to press members, Tütüncüoğlu said the first Turkish Navy was formed by Emir Bey in the town.
“To meet a need for cultural palaces in the maritime field, we previously established the Çakabey Monument in the town. There is also a small exhibition hall in Çeşme Castle depicting the Ottoman-Russian Sea War of 1770, along with a statue of Algerian Gazi Hasan Pasha, one of the most important Ottoman captains, in front of the castle. We want to complete these maritime works with a museum,” he said.

He said they were currently seeking a place for the museum. “We plan to establish a temporary gallery along with a permanent one. There will also be a gift shop, conference hall, art gallery, ateliers, maritime education park, a training center for children, painting and mockup ateliers and a library.”

Tütüncüoğlu said the museum would display objects regarding the Ottoman Navy and weapons and would feature an “Admiral’s cabin, which is very common in similar United States and European museums.”