Çanakçılar Private Ethnography and Archaeology Museum, located within a ceramic factory in Gökçebey, houses coins, glass objects, and ethnographic artifacts from Ancient Greece to the Ottoman Empire, situated on a property surrounded by a zoo.
This museum is not a typical archaeology museum. It was established within the factory premises of Çanakçılar Seramik A.Ş. The first floor features a showroom displaying sanitary ware products manufactured by the company, while the second floor houses archaeological and ethnographic artifacts collected over the years by collector Mithat Çanakçı. In 2005, permission to open a private museum was granted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the museum opened to visitors in 2006.
The collection is truly diverse. Alongside artifacts from the Ancient Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, there are stone fossils from the Paleolithic Age, Bronze Age hand axes, and Urartian ram-headed iron bracelets. The coin collection is particularly noteworthy; a rich archive has been created with electrum, gold, silver, and nickel coins. Terracotta female figurines, amphorae, oil lamps, and glass perfume bottles from the Roman period are also on display.
What makes the museum unique is its location. The building is situated within a large zoo area that houses numerous domestic and wild animals. This means that after viewing the archaeological artifacts, you can also explore the botanical garden and see the animals on the same property. For those visiting Gökçebey, it offers both a historical and nature trip combined.
Guide's Note
How was the museum established?
Mithat Çanakçı, Chairman of the Board of Çanakçılar Seramik A.Ş., received a Movable Cultural Property Collector's certificate from the Karadeniz Ereğli Museum in 2003 due to his interest in historical artifacts. Following this certificate, he applied to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to exhibit the artifacts he collected. Permission was granted in 2005, and the museum opened to visitors on December 6, 2006. Its establishment within the company's factory premises makes it one of Turkey's rare examples of a "private industrial museum."
How much time should be allocated?
40-50 minutes is sufficient to explore the two floors of the museum. However, if you include the zoo and botanical park on the property, the total visit extends to 1.5-2 hours. If you are specifically traveling to Gökçebey, plan your day accordingly. The museum alone is not a full-day trip, but it is a must-see stop when passing through the region.
How to get to Gökçebey and the museum?
Gökçebey can be reached from Zonguldak city center by private car or minibus lines. For those coming from Ankara, Gökçebey is a transit point on the Ankara-Zonguldak highway. The museum is located at the entrance to the district center; it takes approximately 7 minutes by taxi from the center. If you are driving your own car, the entrance to the factory area is clearly marked with signs.
Highlights of the collection
The coin collection is the richest part of the museum. Electrum, gold, silver, and nickel coins cover a wide range of periods from Ancient Greece to the Ottoman Empire. Terracotta female figurines, amphorae, oil lamps, and bowls from the Roman period are also on display. The glass objects section includes tear bottles, perfume bottles, and bracelets. The Urartian ram-headed iron bracelet and the Bronze Age stone hand axe are among the oldest pieces in the collection.
Visiting a museum within a factory area
It's important to remember that the museum is located within a ceramic factory. The first floor is a showroom displaying sanitary ware products manufactured by Çanakçılar; the actual archaeological and ethnographic collection is on the second floor. During your visit, keep in mind that you will be walking within a factory area, so some sections may have the appearance of an industrial facility.
Visiting with the zoo and botanical area
The museum building is situated within a large zoo area that houses numerous domestic and wild animals. The botanical garden is also on the same property. Therefore, it makes sense to allocate extra time after visiting the museum to see the animals and walk in the green area; this combination makes the trip more fulfilling, especially for families with children.
Which season is suitable for a visit?
Although the museum building is an indoor space, the zoo and botanical park are outdoors. Spring and summer months are more suitable for comfortably exploring the outdoor areas. In winter, rain and cold weather are common in the Zonguldak region, so outdoor excursions may be shortened.
FAQ
Updated:
