Turkish people are known as strong soldiers from ancient times. Maybe it is bacause they all have to struggle hard to survive in difficult geographies so military always important to them. Even now Turkish Army is one of the biggest one in the world.

So if you are in Istanbul you should see one of the biggest military museums of the world.

Museum is in Harbiye district of Istanbul and  “Harbiye”means “military”, because Military Museum was used as the Military Academy by the Ottoman Empire in its later periods. So the name of this district comes from the Academy.

Military Museum and Cultural Center Command has approximately 55.000 objects in its inventory, 5.000 of which are displayed in the museum’s exhibition halls.

You can also listen to “Mehteran Company” in the museum hall,  the oldest band in the world, that was used to motivate the soldiers and intimidate the enemies in old times.  The performances by “Mehteran Company” can be watched in two separate sessions from 15.00 to 16.00 in days the museum is open.

The Military Museum is open to public visits every day from 09.00 to 17.00 except on January 1, the first days of the Ramadan Holiday and the Festival of Sacrifices and Mondays and Tuesdays.

Archery lessons are given to the visitors at the Cannon Exhibition Hall on Wednesday and Saturday between the hours 14.00 and 15.00.

How can you go there?

For sure you know Taksim square. It takes only 20 minutes to walk to Military Museum from Taksim square.