Rahmi Koç Museum

Rahmi Koç Museum

Atatürk Special Collection

The objects exhibited in this section belong to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938), the founder and first President of the Republic of Türkiye. The collection was primarily assembled by Colonel Halil Nuri Yurdakul, who played a significant role during the Turkish War of Independence and later became one of Atatürk’s close associates. It was donated to the museum by his son Prof. Dr. Yurdakul Yurdakul and his daughter-in-law Mrs. Ayşe Acatay Yurdakul.

The collection also includes highly valuable personal belongings of Latife Hanım, Atatürk’s late wife. These exceptional items are being displayed to the public for the first time.

Among the highlights is the special wedding costume worn by Latife Hanım on her wedding night, made of satin fabric and richly embroidered with silver-colored beads, along with its matching embroidered waist sash. These pieces were donated by Mr. Mehmet Sadık Öke.
A silver-beaded evening dress embroidered on silk, belonging to Latife Hanım, has been loaned to the museum on a temporary basis by Mr. Mutlu İlmen.
Two silk pillowcases embroidered with gold thread from Latife Hanım’s trousseau were also donated by Mr. Mehmet Sadık Öke.

Another notable object in the collection is Atatürk’s chest-style suitcase. The suitcase bears the initials GMK, standing for Gazi Mustafa Kemal, and is branded Innovation.
Dimensions: L: 60 cm – W: 72 cm – H: 115 cm

This section also features Atatürk’s eyeglasses and eyeglass case.

Time Magazine – March 1923

One of the rarest items in the collection is the March 1923 issue of Time magazine, featuring Atatürk on its cover. This is the fourth issue of Time and the first in which Atatürk appeared on the cover. Only three copies are known to exist in Türkiye. This particular example is preserved within a bound volume containing the first thirteen issues of Time magazine.

G10 Locomotive and Tender

The first G10 locomotives entered service in 1910, with production continuing until 1925. Known as G10 and BR57 during their service in Prussia and Germany, a total of 49 locomotives produced by various manufacturers were brought to Türkiye at different times.

The G10 locomotive exhibited here was manufactured by Borsig in 1912–1913 for Prussia. Featuring a 0-10-0 wheel arrangement, it initially served on the Prussian State Railways (KPEV) before being transferred to Türkiye, where it operated for many years under the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) with the number 55022.
Length: 18.9 m – Weight: 76 tons
Overall Dimensions: L: 37.2 m – W: 3.10 m – H: 4.50 m

Aviation

From a glider model inspired by the Wright Brothers to iconic aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3 and the F-104S Starfighter fighter jet, this collection presents outstanding examples from the history of aviation. These exhibits can be seen in the Mustafa V. Koç Building and the Outdoor Area.

Living History

This section features authentic reconstructions of 19th-century shops and workshops, including a machine shop, olive oil factory, film set, captain’s bridge, fishermen’s shelter, engine repair workshop, boat-building workshop, scientific instruments shop, pharmacy, shoemaker, blacksmith, watchmaker, ship outfitting shop, and toy shop. These spaces are arranged throughout the Mustafa V. Koç Building, Tersane Building, and the Outdoor Area to support the exhibition narrative.

Models and Toys

Scale models dating from the 1700s to the present day, crafted with exceptional workmanship—many of them rare examples of their kind—form an essential part of the museum’s collection. Distinguished model collections related to steam engines, rail transport, maritime history, aviation, and road transport are displayed throughout the relevant sections.

Miniature objects and toys from various countries and historical periods are mainly exhibited in the Mustafa V. Koç Building, while a magical world of miniature objects and dollhouses welcomes visitors at the Tersane Main Entrance.

Scientific Instruments

This collection, which includes a 14th-century celestial globe and a 19th-century transit telescope, sheds light on the history of science through significant observation and measurement instruments. The entire collection is on view in the Mustafa V. Koç Building.

Maritime

Rahmi M. Koç Museum holds one of Türkiye’s most extensive maritime collections. Located in the Tersane section, the exhibition includes model ships, full-scale boats and yachts, outboard motors, and the rare Amphicar. In addition to the impressive Bosphorus Pleasure Boat, smaller boats, canoes, and other vessels are also displayed.

Communication

Rare and historically significant examples of communication technologies—such as the telegraph, telephone, dictaphone, gramophone, camera, and television—illustrating the communication revolution born from the union of science and industry can be seen in the Mustafa V. Koç Building.

Machinery

This collection of steam and diesel engines manufactured in Türkiye and abroad offers valuable insight into the development of industry. Notable exhibits include the steam main engine of the Kalender Ship in the Mustafa V. Koç Building and the Marshall portable steam engine in the Tersane Building.

Fenerbahçe Ferry

The Fenerbahçe Ferry, together with its sister ship Dolmabahçe Ferry, was built in 1952 at the William Denny & Brothers shipyard in Dumbarton, Glasgow. A member of the so-called “garden-type” ferries, it entered service with Şirket-i Hayriye (today’s Turkish Maritime Lines) on 14 May 1953.

Equipped with two Sulzer diesel engines, each producing 1,500 horsepower, the double-screw ferry could reach a speed of 18 knots. Its large funnel and elegant wooden details make it a particularly striking vessel.

Since arriving at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in 2009, the Fenerbahçe Ferry has been open to visitors as a museum ship. It houses the Yalvaç Ural Toy Collection and also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs. The nostalgic café on board offers visitors a pleasant experience overlooking the Golden Horn.

The Fenerbahçe Ferry has been loaned to the museum on a temporary basis by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality