Bursa Karagöz Museum

The Karagöz House Museum, located on Çekirge Street, stands as Turkey’s only museum dedicated to the traditional Karagöz shadow play, a performing art recognized as a key element of Anatolian cultural heritage. The memory of Karagöz and Hacivat, the iconic characters of Turkish shadow theatre, has long been associated with Bursa, where the tomb believed to belong to Şeyh Küşteri—the pioneer of shadow play—was transformed into a symbolic memorial in 1950.

Opposite the memorial stands the Karagöz Museum, a cultural center that not only showcases the traditional art of shadow play but also hosts a variety of artistic events and workshops. The building, which served as an electrical transformer for nearly 30 years, was redesigned as the Karagöz House in 1997 and further expanded into the Karagöz Museum in 2007 by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality.

Exhibitions and Collections

The museum houses rich collections that highlight the history and evolution of shadow theatre:

• Traditional Karagöz figures from Şinasi Çelikkol’s private collection
• Puppets and shadow play figures from various countries
• Ethnographic objects from Turkmen and Yörük communities
• Items registered in the Ministry of Culture inventory, including 119 original Karagöz figures crafted by renowned masters of shadow play

One of the museum’s most valuable displays includes figures created by Hayali Küçük Ali (Mehmet Muhittin Sevilen), one of the most significant artists of Karagöz heritage.

Museum Layout

The museum consists of three main galleries, a Karagöz figure-making workshop, a specialized library, and a 69-seat performance hall:

• Right Gallery: Offers an introduction to the history of Karagöz culture and showcases the tools and materials used in creating traditional shadow puppets made from camel or calf leather.
• Left Gallery: Exhibits original shadow figures used by prominent Karagöz masters, along with their brief biographies.
• Central Gallery: Displays a diverse collection of string and hand puppets donated by visiting puppet artists who participated in the biennial international puppet and shadow play festival hosted by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality.

Workshops and Performances

The Karagöz Figure-Making Workshop provides hands-on activities for children aged 8–13. Participants create their own shadow play characters using transparent sheets and perform short shows on the miniature stage. These workshops nurture creativity while enhancing drawing, painting, and fine motor skills, and help build confidence through live performance.

The performance hall, with a seating capacity of 69 for visitors aged four and above, hosts live Karagöz shows performed by traditional hayali (shadow play artists), keeping the centuries-old art form alive.

Research & Cultural Preservation

The museum’s specialized library serves students and researchers studying Karagöz culture.
In 2009, Karagöz Shadow Play was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, securing its place as a vital cultural tradition.

Today, the Karagöz House Museum continues to safeguard and promote this unique art form as Turkey’s first and only Karagöz Museum, offering an immersive cultural experience for visitors of all ages.