The Rahmi M Koc Museum is a private museum in Istanbul that showcases the history of transport, industry and communications in Turkey and the world. It was founded by Rahmi M Koc, a prominent Turkish businessman and philanthropist, in 1991 and opened to the public in 1994. The museum is housed in two historical buildings: a former anchor and chain factory (Lengerhane) and a former dockyard (Tersane). The museum has a rich and diverse collection of thousands of items, ranging from gramophone needles to full-size ships and aircraft. The museum also offers various activities and experiences for visitors of all ages, such as boat tours, workshops, exhibitions and events.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (6:30 pm on weekends). The ticket prices are 25 TL for adults, 15 TL for students and seniors, and free for children under 6 years old. The museum also has a family ticket option for 60 TL, which includes two adults and two children. The tickets can be purchased online or at the museum entrance.
To get to the museum, you can take public transportation or drive by car. The museum is located on Haskoy Caddesi 5, Eyup/Istanbul. You can take the bus number 54HT from Eminonu or Karakoy, or the ferry from Uskudar or Besiktas to Haskoy. You can also take the metro to Sishane station and then walk for about 20 minutes along the Golden Horn. If you are driving, you can park your car at the museum’s parking lot for a fee of 10 TL.
Some tips for visiting the museum are:
- Plan your visit ahead and check the museum’s website for the latest information on exhibitions, events and workshops.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the museum covers a large area and some sections are outdoors.
- Bring your camera and take photos of the amazing exhibits, but respect the signs that indicate where photography is not allowed.
- Enjoy the views of the Golden Horn from the museum’s cafe and restaurant, which serve delicious food and drinks.
- Visit the museum’s gift shop and buy souvenirs, books and toys related to the museum’s themes.
The museum offers guided tours for groups of 10 or more people, with prior reservation. The tours last about an hour and a half and cost 10 TL per person. You can choose from different tour themes, such as transport, industry, communication, science or art. You can also request a customized tour according to your interests.
The museum has some prohibitions that visitors should follow:
- Do not touch, climb or sit on the exhibits, unless they are interactive or designated for that purpose.
- Do not smoke, eat or drink inside the museum buildings.
- Do not bring pets, weapons or hazardous materials into the museum.
- Do not disturb other visitors or staff with loud noises or inappropriate behavior.
Some of the highlights of the museum that you should not miss are:
- The submarine TCG Uluçalireis (S 338), which was built in Germany in 1974 and served in the Turkish Navy until 2017. You can enter the submarine and see how the crew lived and worked underwater.
- The steam locomotive Sultan Abdülaziz (1851), which was used by Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz during his travels in Europe. It is one of the oldest locomotives in the world and has a luxurious interior with velvet seats and crystal chandeliers.
- The Ford Model T (1908), which was one of the first mass-produced cars in history and revolutionized the automobile industry. It was donated by Henry Ford himself to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
- The Douglas DC-3 (1944), which was a legendary passenger plane that flew across continents and oceans. It was used by Turkish Airlines until 1974 and has been restored to its original condition.
- The Planetarium (2012), which is a state-of-the-art facility that offers immersive shows about astronomy, space exploration and science fiction. It has a dome screen with a diameter of 12 meters and a seating capacity of 60 people.
