Republic Museum (İstanbul)

İBB Republic Museum is a museum opened to visitors in 2024 in the Taksim neighborhood of Beyoğlu district in Istanbul.

It is located inside the historic water reservoir adjacent to Taksim Maksemi, which was built in the 18th century. It was opened to visitors on 8 June 2024. A collection containing Atatürk’s marshal uniform, drawing board, knitted sweater, and cap, as well as images, documents, and memories related to the history of the Republic, is exhibited.

Museum structure

The building in which the museum is situated is the water reservoir at the point where the water supplied to the city by the Taksim Water Facilities, built in the 18th century during the reign of Mahmut I, was distributed. The structure, used for various functions throughout history, was organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) as an art gallery from 2008 and operated under the name "Republic Art Gallery."

After being closed for a period, the art gallery was used in 2021 for the "Cultural Man Atatürk" exhibition and then for various special exhibitions. In 2022, the İBB Heritage unit within the Metropolitan Municipality began the restoration of the Maksem and the water reservoir, and after two years of work the building was repurposed as a museum. The museum opened on 8 June 2024, the 100th anniversary of the Republic.

Collection

The museum contains various informational tools and images dealing with themes such as the founding of the Republic of Turkey, legal reform, education, population and health policy, transportation and communication, economy, infrastructure, zoning and urbanization, and the holidays of the Republic.

The museum also houses a collection of personal items of the Republic’s founder Atatürk. This collection includes Atatürk’s marshal uniform, drawing board, knitted sweater, and cap.

Collection; formed with contributions from Osmantan Erkır, Cengiz Kahraman, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Atatürk Museum, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Atatürk Library and British Pathe.