When you enter the State Museum of Painting and Sculpture, the first feeling is one of silent grandeur. Founded at the instruction of Atatürk, it houses the first major collection of Turkish painting and sculpture. As you wander among works from Osman Hamdi Bey, İbrahim Çallı, Bedri Rahmi, and Sabiha Bozcalı, you witness not only art but also the aesthetic vision of the Republic. It is a unique stop to trace the path of Turkish art from the late 19th century to the present day.
Historical Information
Built in 1927 by architect Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu, the building was originally designed as the Türk Ocağı (Turkish Hearth). In 1980, it was converted into a museum. Combining classical Turkish architecture with Western influences, it stands as an important symbol of the Republic’s cultural face. The halls are arranged by classical period, contemporary period, and thematic exhibitions.
Viofun’s Recommendation
Pay close attention not only to the artworks but also to the building itself. The entrance columns, the play of light in the courtyard, and the symmetry of the exhibition halls draw you in like an architectural painting. After the museum, take a walk toward Hamamönü to complete a day filled with history and art.
When you enter the State Museum of Painting and Sculpture, the first feeling is one of silent grandeur. Founded at the instruction of Atatürk, it houses the first major collection of Turkish painting and sculpture. As you wander among works from Osman Hamdi Bey, İbrahim Çallı, Bedri Rahmi, and Sabiha Bozcalı, you witness not only art but also the aesthetic vision of the Republic. It is a unique stop to trace the path of Turkish art from the late 19th century to the present day.
Historical Information
Built in 1927 by architect Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu, the building was originally designed as the Türk Ocağı (Turkish Hearth). In 1980, it was converted into a museum. Combining classical Turkish architecture with Western influences, it stands as an important symbol of the Republic’s cultural face. The halls are arranged by classical period, contemporary period, and thematic exhibitions.
Viofun’s Recommendation
Pay close attention not only to the artworks but also to the building itself. The entrance columns, the play of light in the courtyard, and the symmetry of the exhibition halls draw you in like an architectural painting. After the museum, take a walk toward Hamamönü to complete a day filled with history and art.
By Bus
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Lines: 309, 381, 419 (EGO)
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Stops: Opera or Ulus
From either stop, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the museum.
By Minibus
From Kızılay, Sıhhiye, and Hacettepe routes, take a minibus and get off at the Opera stop.
By Taxi
From the city center, the museum can be reached in 5–10 minutes by taxi. It can easily be combined with other cultural stops around Ulus.
