To visit the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, there are a dozen of reasons why. Although there are countless museums with a wide range in Istanbul alone, Rahmi M. Koç Museum is one of a kind due to its content. For anyone who is interested in exploring the Anatolian version of industrial advancements, Rahmi M. Koç Museum awaits its visitors every weekday except Monday, but weekends also. Divided into 3 sections, the Lengerhane Building, Hasköy Shipyard, and the Outdoor Exhibition Area, the museum is spread over 27,000 acres of land.
From the TÇG Uluçreis Submarine anchored on the Golden Shore to the actual devices of Boğaziçi Kandilli Observatory, there are countless artifacts in the museum where one can explore various branches of industry to their fullest.
As apparent in many of its offerings, Istanbul is the intersection of many cultures and religions. The multiculturalist and diverse atmosphere of Istanbul was, and still is, a subject of many literary and artistic pieces. However, the city is not only the junction for intangible aspects but also the industrial growth itself. Let me introduce you to Rahmi M. Koç Museum, the diary of industrial growth in Türkiye.
The actual chronicle of the Industrial Revolution in Anatolia, Rahmi M. Koç Museum is bestowed upon Istanbul, being located in the northwest of the city, on the shores of the Golden Horn. The idea to constitute such a museum originates from Rahmi Koç’s visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Spread over 27,000 square meters of land, Rahmi Koç museum is mainly composed of three main sections: Mustafa V. Koç / Lengerhane Building, Historical Hasköy Shipyard, and Outdoor Exhibition Area. The Lengerhane building, one of the most popular parts of the museum, is named after “Lenger” meaning “anchor” in English. Hence, back in the day, this building was initially used for casting anchors and chains for the Ottoman Navy on the Golden Horn.
As for the building's historical background, the initial establishment was done by the Byzantine Empire in the 12th century later to be aided by the Sultans III. Ahmed and III. Selim of the Ottoman Empire during the 18th century. Unfortunately, the roof of the Lengerhane building was severely damaged due to a fire in 1990.
Fast forward to six years later, the building was purchased by The Koç Foundation, relieving the building from its abandoned state. Containing major exhibits of means of transport and communication devices, the most remarkable pieces of the Lengerhane Building are tools and machines of Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory.
Moving on to the second most popular section of the museum: Historical Hasköy Shipyard. During the late 19th century, the shipyard was built by the Ottoman maritime company named “Şirket-i Hayriye” with the purpose of maintenance of the ships.
After the Lengerhane Building was found to be insufficient for the Rahmi M. Koç Museum collection, in 2001, the dilapidated shipyard was also purchased by the Koç Foundation to expand the museum. Later, the shipyard was renovated in accordance with its original conditions by a team under the presidency of Doctor Bülent Bulgurlu. Famous for its contributions to industrial archeology, Hasköy Shipyard alone is spread on land over 11 square meters. Housing Rahmi Koç Gallery within itself, Hasköy Shipyard also contains pieces ranging from transportation vehicles to agricultural factories.
All the way from the main entrance of Hasköy Street to the shores of Golden Horn, the Outdoor Exhibition Area will be welcoming visitors with unprecedented artifacts. Last but not least, for sure, the Outdoor Exhibition Area. Extending to the shore of Goldern Horn, it is reserved for bigger-scale
artifacts.
On the shore of the beautiful Golden Horn, Rahmi M. Koç Museum exhibits classic cars. Moreover, Turgut Alp Vinçi, the Fenerbahçe Ferry, and even TCG Uluçreis Submarine anchored on the Golden Horn in the Outdoor Exhibition Area are other artifacts to be seen at least once in a lifetime.
For any Istanbulite fan willing to wander around the stages of Türkiye’s industrial development, Rahmi M. Koç Museum is open to its visitors every weekday, from 10 am to 5 pm, except for Mondays. If you are a student, then it is advised for you to visit the museum from 10 A.M. until 7 P.M. on any weekend. Also, don’t let the enormous size of the museum scare you, you can always catch your breath at Demlik Cafe in the Dockyard section, Fenerbahçe Ferry Cafe in the Outdoor Exhibition Area, the Coca-Cola Kiosk, Suzy’s Cafe Du Levant, and Halat Restaurant are also possible destinations for your respite.
For anyone willing to unravel the unknowns of the industrial growth of Türkiye, and even Anatolia, Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a must-visit destination in Istanbul. With the unprecedented artifacts housed in the museum, Rahmi M. Koç Museum awaits visitors from all ages on both weekdays and weekends.
Edited by: Melisa Altıntaş and Ece Nisanoğlu
Works Cited
Düşova, Aykut, editor. "Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi." Gezilmesi Gereken Yerler, Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.
"İstanbul Rahmi M. Koç Museum." Turkish Museums, Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.
The Koç Group. "Rahmi M. Koç Museums" ["Rahmi M. Koç Museums"]. Koç, The Koç Group, 2020, Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.
"Rahmi M. Koç Museum." Wikipedia, 2020, Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.