The Koç and Sabancı families are Turkey’s two oldest and largest business dynasties. They are the country’s largest industrial conglomerates. These families also have private museums, of which I will now introduce one: The Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi).
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a private industrial museum, dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. Rahmi M. Koç, member of the wealthiest dynasty in Turkey and retired chairman (currently the honorary chairman) of the Koç Group, founded the museum in 1991, which was opened on December 13, 1994.
The museum is located in the neighborhood of Hasköy (in Beyoğlu, on the European side) on the northeast shore of the Golden Horn. It has expanded to both sides of Hasköy Street (Hasköy Caddesi).
Rahmi Koç’s visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, United States inspired him to create this museum.
The museum’s collections are diverse: Atatürk, scientific instruments, rail transportation, maritime, historical Fenerbahçe ferry boat, aviation, communication instrument, road transportation, engineering, models and toys, living history and special collection.
Most of the items exhibited in the museum are selected from Rahmi Koç’s private collection. Other objects are either borrowed from or donated by various organizations and individuals. Original machines and their scale models together with scientific and mechanical items make up the basis of the museum’s exhibits.
But this is not all. In this museum you will also find activities, for example, submarine tour, organizing birthday parties, professional shooting, nostalgic train tour, Golden Horn boat tours, carusel and playground.
The extent of the museum means you will see everything you can imagine here, from dollhouse furniture to submarines and aircrafts. For me – interested in health – one of the most interesting experiences was the exhibition hall, which featured the historical production process of cold-pressed olive oil.
The scale of this museum is difficult to understand, so I recommend making sure you carefully check the opening hours of your date of visit, and arrive as soon as the museum opens. Probably one day is still not enough if you want to experience it all.
On your museum day, you’re also guaranteed to need moments of rest and maybe a cup of coffee. There are also many choices of cafés. Above is a café in the historic atmosphere of the car exhibition hall and below is a separate beautiful café building.
I dare say that there is something interesting for everyone in this museum. Enjoy your visit!
More information: http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/istanbul/en/home-page