Beşkonaklar Ethnography Museum and Traditional Malatya House is an example of civil architecture from the early 1900s, consisting of five adobe and wooden mansions in Malatya's Battalgazi district; admission is free.
Beşkonaklar takes its name from the five mansions lined up side by side, adjacent to each other, like a single entity. Hacı Sait Efendi (Turfanda) and his brothers had them built in the early 1900s; first one mansion, then four more adjacent mansions were added. It features an adobe exterior, wooden ceilings, and stairs. Iron was only used as railings on doors and windows. These are the houses of prominent families who lived in Malatya during that period, with bay windows, balconies, and belvederes.
Upon entering, you are greeted by a hall called hayat/taşlık, which was used for sitting in the summer. On both sides of this hall, there are a kitchen-hearth area, a pantry, and rooms, with an exit to the courtyard at the back. Going upstairs, there is a central hall surrounded by rooms. The ground floor rooms have small windows because they were used as storage and pantries. The living room, called the winter room, on the upper floor, and the nimseki section covered with carpets and cushions, are among the most original parts of a traditional Malatya house. Among the exhibits are fabric printing, clothing, kitchen utensils, lighting tools, measuring instruments, and old weapons from the Malatya region.
One point that stands out in visitor comments is that the sound and light animations in sections like the main room, hall, and kitchen of the traditional Malatya house are well-received. Most visitors to the city say that this is a small but valuable stop for understanding the city. However, the museum has been closed for a long time in recent years due to restoration. Be sure to check if it is open before you go.
Guide's Note
What is Beşkonaklar, Why is it Important?
Beşkonaklar is not a single mansion; it is a whole formed by five adjacent mansions. Hacı Sait Efendi and his brothers had them built, and they became the homes of wealthy families living in Malatya during that period. Today, it is preserved as an example of civil architecture, with an ethnography collection exhibited on its two floors. Elements that distinguish the building from the traditional Malatya house type are the latticed projection called cumba (bay window), the top floor called cihannüma (belvedere), and the adobe walls.
Things to Know Before Your Visit
The museum has a history of restoration. It was closed for a long time in 2023, and visitors still mention in comments that it is closed. Before you go, call the Malatya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism to inquire about the current status. If it is open, it can be visited between 08:00 and 17:00, every day of the week.
How to Get There?
The museum is located in Malatya's historical district of Battalgazi, on Beşkonaklar Street in Kernek Neighborhood. It takes 15-20 minutes by taxi from the city center. Aslantepe Mound and Malatya Atatürk House are also in the same area, so it makes sense to include them in a one-day Battalgazi tour.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
Since the mansions are small-scale, 30-45 minutes is sufficient. If you want to visit Aslantepe Mound, Malatya Atatürk House, and Malatya Museum on the same day, plan a half-day in Battalgazi.
Good Spots for Photos
The bay windows and latticed windows on the exterior facade of the mansions create an interesting view when seen from the street. Inside, the rooms with sound and light animations are also among the sections where visitors take photos.
Things to Pay Attention To
Restoration processes can sometimes completely close the museum. If you are coming from afar, do not finalize your plan without confirming by phone. Also, the mansions have narrow stairs and an old structure, so visiting with a wheelchair or stroller is not practical.
Combine with a Battalgazi Tour
Visiting Beşkonaklar together with Aslantepe Mound, Malatya Atatürk House, and Ethnography Museum in the same district allows you to experience archaeological, ethnographic, and Republican era history all at once.
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