Türk Tarih Müzesi ve Parkı

About Türk Tarih Müzesi ve Parkı

Türk Tarih Müzesi ve Parkı (Turkish History Museum and Park) is an open-air museum in Etimesgut, on Ankara's western side, set up by Etimesgut Municipality and open since 29 August 2021. Rather than showing excavated objects, it tells the story of Turkish history through sculpture: the museum says it holds more than 200 statues, seven sculptural compositions, four large panoramic paintings and copies of eight Old Turkic inscriptions. According to Turkish Wikipedia the complex covers about 60,000 square metres, most of it in the open air. The figures were made over three years in the municipality's own sculpture and ceramics workshop by Turkish and foreign artists. The route begins with the Scythian (Saka) period and the Göktürk khagans and khatuns, then moves through the founders of 16 Turkish states, Seljuk and Ottoman sultans, commanders of the War of Independence, great thinkers, the founders of the Turkic republics, and scientists, poets and writers of the Republican era. Five different statues of Atatürk stand in the park. Group scenes depict the Ergenekon legend, Kürşat and his 40 warriors, Göktürk archers, the 1453 conquest of Istanbul, the Gallipoli campaign and the War of Independence. Copies of the Tonyukuk, Kül Tigin, Moyun Çor and Taryat inscriptions and three Phrygian reliefs of a lion, a bull and a griffin are also on show. Beyond the sculptures there are a library, an exhibition hall, a conference hall and a cafeteria, and the museum regularly welcomes school groups. Practical notes: the museum's website gives opening hours of 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday, for the indoor areas, which are closed on Sundays; the open-air area stays open until 22:00. Its Instagram profile states that entry is free.