Naval Museum
This small museum is easy to find. Follow the main road along the walls of Dolmabahce palace. After the premises of Dolmabahce palace are passed it’s a hundred meters further on your right.
I love to visit this small museum, the naval past of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey is displayed in a fine way.
Thanks to superior seamanship and cartography the Ottoman Navy commanded the Mediterranean during the 16th century. Ottoman ships sailed not only in the Mediterranean but also in, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Indian and Atlantic Ocean.
However, the discoveries made by Spain and Portugal (in fact an effect of the Ottoman hegemony over the spice route), was the prelude to decline. Spain became the upcoming power in the Mediterranean. The first sign was the defeat of the Ottoman fleet (which was soon rebuilt), by a coalition of Spain, Venice and the Papal State in 1571.
During the 17th century the Ottoman navy was still a force to be reckoned with, but the hegemony in the Mediterranean was lost. France, Holland and later the British took over.
The museum consists of two buildings and a garden, looking over the Bosphorus.
In the main building all kinds of naval objects are displayed as, weapons, sextants, compasses, uniforms, ships interiors, charts and maps, tableaux and paintings and the cabin of Ataturk’s yacht the Savarona.
Talking about cartography a replica of a 16th century World map of Piri Reis is displayed and copies are for sale.
* Naval Museum images
***Opening times 09:00-16:30, closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
***Photography is allowed but no flash or tripods (good advice, use a high speed film and a standard lens).
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