Aşık Veysel Museum is the house where the minstrel Aşık Veysel lived in Sivrialan village, Şarkışla district of Sivas, and has served as a museum since 1982; admission is free, and his saz, personal belongings, and a wax sculpture are exhibited.
This house in Sivrialan village is where Aşık Veysel spent most of his life. The Ministry of Culture expropriated the house in 1979 and opened it as a museum in 1982. Inside, there are 32 ethnographic artifacts donated by the minstrel's family: his bed, carpets, divans, pillows, saz, photographs, and handwritten manuscripts of his poems. There is also a wax sculpture of him in the hall.
It underwent renovation within the scope of the Inter-Museum Cultural Alliance Project, and a new two-story building was added next to the old one. The first floor of this new building is an exhibition area designed for the visually impaired, and the second floor is used as a guesthouse. Visitors can both tour the museum and see the tranquil texture of the village. The warm and sincere welcome of the villagers is frequently highlighted in comments.
Aşık Veysel was born in this village in 1894. He lost his left eye to smallpox at the age of seven, and then his right eye in an accident. He started music with a saz gifted by his father and received training from Âşık Ali. He was discovered at the Sivas Minstrels' Festival in 1931, and in 1965, he was granted a salary by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. He passed away on March 21, 1973, in this same village, and his grave is also near the museum.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Şuğul Canyon.
Guide's Note
When to Visit?
The museum is open every day except Monday from 08:00-17:00, with the ticket office closing at 16:30. Since the village road is narrow, travel can be difficult in winter. Spring and summer months are more suitable for both the road and the scenery. The Aşık Veysel Minstrels' Festival is held on July 9-11, during which the village gains a different atmosphere with commemoration ceremonies and festival crowds.
How to Get There?
From Sivas city center, you take the main road to Şarkışla district, and from there, there is a 35 km village road to Sivrialan village. The road narrows as you approach the village, so the journey from Şarkışla takes about 45 minutes. There are signs directing to the museum at the entrance of the village, and parking is available in front. If you don't have your own vehicle, public transport options from Şarkışla to the village are limited; a private car or an organized tour is the most comfortable option.
How Long Does the Visit Take?
The museum itself is not large. Examining the artifacts, photographs, and poems takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. However, the total duration of going to and from Sivas, including travel, takes half a day. Therefore, it is logical to plan it as a day trip. If you wish, you can also add the Sivas Archaeology Museum or the Atatürk and Congress Museum to your itinerary on the same day.
Suggested Itinerary
Leaving Sivas early in the morning and first going to Şarkışla, then to Sivrialan village, is the way to make efficient use of the day. After visiting the museum, you can take a short walk in the village and visit Aşık Veysel's grave, which is located near the museum. Taking a break in Şarkışla town center on the way back is a practical option for both eating and resting.
Things to Pay Attention To
Careful driving is required as the village road is narrow, especially when vehicles come from the opposite direction. Some visitors have encountered moments when the museum appeared closed; in such a case, it is possible to call the attendant in the village by phone to have the museum opened. The museum is completely closed on Mondays, so do not include this day in your plan. Food and drink options are limited in the village, so it may be useful to buy something on the way.
Things You Need to Know About the Museum
Aşık Veysel's house is exhibited with 32 ethnographic artifacts donated by his family: his bed, carpets, divans, saz, and a wax sculpture. One floor of the newly added two-story building is designed for the visually impaired, and the other floor is used as a guesthouse. Visitor comments suggest that the museum should be promoted more widely; some state that other folk minstrels who grew up in the village are not adequately represented. However, most visitors mention the warm welcome of the villagers and the emotional atmosphere of the museum.
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