Literary Museums You Need to Visit in Istanbul

Istanbul is a unique city that has witnessed the lives and literary journeys of many important writers from past to present. Many writers and poets you admire write their most beautiful poems, unforgettable novels, or stories that you cannot get enough of, in the romantic and fascinating atmosphere of Istanbul.

The houses where the unique works of some famous writers in Istanbul were born were turned into literary museums to keep their memories alive. For some important writers, museums were launched where all their memories are exhibited. We have compiled these literary museums that you must see in Istanbul just for you.

The Mansion Where Unforgettable Poems Were Born: Aşiyan Museum

Tevfik Fikret, one of the most important poets of Servet-i Fünûn literature, lived in a mansion on the Aşiyan slope in the beautiful district of Istanbul, Bebek, between 1906 and 1915. This mansion, named Aşiyan, which means “bird nest” in Persian, was purchased by the Istanbul Municipality from the poet’s wife, Nazime Hanım, in 1940. The mansion, which was opened to visitors in 1945 under the name of Edebiyat-ı Cedide Museum, was very valuable for Tevfik Fikret. For this reason, the poet’s body, which was buried in Eyüp cemetery, was transferred to the garden of Aşiyan Mansion in 1961. From this date onwards, the mansion takes the name “Aşiyan Museum”.

Today, the museum hosts its guests under the name of Aşiyan Museum. On the first floor of the museum, the Edebiyat-ı Cedide Room contains the belongings of the Edebiyat-ı Cedide writers, the Hall of Abdülhak Hamit, where the personal belongings of the famous poet and playwright Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan are exhibited and there is the poet Nigar Hanım’s room, where the photographs, books, and some personal belongings of the poet Nigar Hanım are located. On the second floor, which is completely reserved for Tevfik Fikret, there is the poet’s bedroom and study room. In the bedroom, you can see his personal belongings and the bed on which he passed away and in the study room, you can see his desk, painting works, house sketch projects and some paintings.

The famous “Fog” painting, created by Prince Abdülmecit Efendi, inspired by the famous poet’s poem “Fog”, is also exhibited here. You can visit the Aşiyan Museum, where you can discover many important information about the world of literature, between 09.00 – 16.00 every day except Mondays.

The House Where Island Stories Come to Life: Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum

The mansion in Burgazada, which witnessed the life of Sait Faik Abasıyanık, one of the master writers of Turkish Literature, opened its doors to visitors under the name of Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum on August 22, 1959, following the death of the author. The belongings full of memories, photographs, postcards, handwritten documents, letters, and many other items of Sait Faik Abasıyanık that inspired him while creating his works are exhibited in the museum, which has been under the responsibility of Darüşşafaka Society since 1964.

It is impossible not to be carried away by the naivety of Sait Faik’s stories as soon as you enter the museum. While visiting the Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum, one of the most visited museums in our country, you will enjoy looking closely at the traces of the famous writer’s memories. You can visit the museum, which operates free of charge in accordance with the artist’s will, every day between 10.30 to 16.45, except Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Traces of Unforgettable Works: Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library

Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar contributed many valuable works to our literature, from novels to poems, from essays to studies. Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Museum, which was established as both a museum and a library to keep the memories of the famous writer alive, is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul.

There are nearly nine thousand books in the museum, where the personal belongings of different authors are also exhibited. Temporary exhibitions, interviews and panels are held in the museum, where editors, writers and literature enthusiasts meet. You can visit Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Museum every day between 10.00 – 19.00, except Sundays.

Feel the Spirit of Literature: Orhan Kemal Literature Museum

Orhan Kemal Literature Museum, which was established to keep alive the memories of Orhan Kemal, who had works that left their mark on Turkish literature, is located in Beyoğlu. A very wide collection, from the clothes of Orhan Kemal, one of the most important representatives of the social realist literature movement, to his typewriter, from photographs taken by Ara Güler to articles written about him, is exhibited in the museum.

Orhan Kemal Literature Museum opens its doors to its visitors every day between 10.00 – 18.00, except Sundays. While wandering around the museum, you will feel like you have met Orhan Kemal and had a conversation with him about literature!

Following the Memories of the Great Leader Atatürk: Atatürk Museum Room

The most special guest of Pera Palace Hotel, which has hosted many important names from past to present, was undoubtedly Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk stayed in room 101 during his visits to Pera Palace Hotel. The Great Leader, who hosts many of his guests here, took decisions of critical importance for our country in this room.

Room 101, which houses traces of memories belonging to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was turned into a museum room on the 100th birthday of our Great Leader. When you visit room 101 at Pera Palace Hotel, you can see the personal belongings, books, newspapers, and magazines of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from that period and the gifts that have been sent to him. If you would like to witness the memories of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and go on an emotional time journey, you can visit the room 101 every day between 10.00 – 11.00 and 15.00 – 16.00.