Trabzon Museum, located in the 1900s Kostaki Mansion on Zeytinlik Street, is a museum exhibiting archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, open since 2001; Atatürk's room where he stayed in 1924 and the Roman-era Hermes statue are the main attractions.
Trabzon Museum is located in the Kostaki Mansion, which stands on Zeytinlik Street in the city center. The building was constructed in the early 1900s for the banker Kostaki Teophylaktos. Although its architects cannot be determined, it is known to have been built with Italian masters and materials. When Teophylaktos went bankrupt in 1917, the mansion passed to the Nemlioğlu family and was used as a headquarters during the Turkish War of Independence. Atatürk, his wife Latife Hanım, and his delegation stayed here from September 15-17, 1924; his bedroom is exhibited today with its original furniture.
The building was transferred to the Ministry of Culture in 1987 and, after a 13-year restoration, was opened as a museum in 2001. The basement floor houses the archaeology section: artifacts from the Early Bronze Age to the end of the Ottoman period are displayed in four rooms. The Roman bronze Hermes statue from the 2nd century, found during a rescue excavation in Tabakhane in 1997, greets visitors at the entrance and is the museum's most striking piece. The ground floor reflects the mansion life of the period with its living room, study, dining room, and game room, which preserve their original wallpapers. The upper floor is the ethnography section. In addition to Islamic artifacts, weapons, manuscripts, textiles, jewelry, and clothing, there is also a section dedicated to the 5th President Cevdet Sunay.
Visitor comments frequently praise the mansion's architecture and garden, with some noting that the museum is small but worth visiting. Atatürk's room and the general ambiance of the mansion are among the points especially highlighted by visitors.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Trabzon historical places, Sümela Monastery.
Guide's Note
The Story of Kostaki Mansion
The building was constructed as the mansion of banker Kostaki Teophylaktos in the early 1900s. Its architects are not clearly recorded, but it is known that Italian masters worked on it and some of the materials came from Italy. When Teophylaktos went bankrupt in 1917, the property passed to the Nemlioğlu family. The building, used as a headquarters during the Turkish War of Independence, served as a government office between 1927-1931 and as the General Inspectorate building between 1931-1937. In 1937, it was transferred to the Ministry of National Education and served as a girls' vocational school for 50 years, then passed to the Ministry of Culture in 1987.
Best Time to Visit
Since the museum is a small venue, it can be visited in any season, regardless of weather conditions. Those who go in the morning, right after opening, have a quieter visit. During the summer months when Trabzon's tourist density increases, it is more comfortable to go before noon. The museum is closed on Mondays, so exclude this day from your city center tour plans.
How to Get There?
The museum is at the heart of the city center, at the intersection of Uzunsokak and Zeytinlik Street. It can be reached in 2-3 minutes on foot from Meydan Park. For those staying in Trabzon city center, no additional transportation is needed. Those coming from other districts of the city can take dolmuş (shared taxi) or city bus lines to the center and reach the museum with a short walk.
How Much Time Should Be Allocated?
The museum, consisting of three floors and a basement section, can be explored in 45 minutes to 1 hour. Spending some time in the living and dining rooms on the ground floor looking at period items, and in front of the Hermes statue in the archaeology section in the basement, might extend the duration slightly.
Location in the City Center
The museum is close to Trabzon's historical bazaar area; visitors recommend going to the bazaar after the museum. It forms a route to visit along with Meydan Park, Uzunsokak, and the surrounding historical texture. There are other historical structures within walking distance, so spending part of the day in this area is sensible.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Some visitors note that the museum's exhibition area is small and offers a collection that is more ethnographically oriented. If expectations are adjusted accordingly, the visit will be more satisfying. The mansion itself, the texture of its interiors, and its garden attract as much interest as the exhibited artifacts. The building may not be suitable for wheelchair or stroller access due to its multi-story layout with stairs.
Good Spots for Photography
The exterior facade of the mansion, with its pen-work decorations and entrance staircase, makes for a good shot. Inside, the ground floor halls with original wallpaper and Atatürk's room are preferred for capturing the period atmosphere. The garden also offers a tranquil area to photograph the mansion's exterior view.
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