Eskisehir Museum of Independence (Eskişehir Kurtuluş Müzesi)
On a recent trip I visited the Eskisehir Museum of Independence. Housed in an early example of Turkish first national architecture built in 1915, the museum celebrates Atatürk and the Turkish Republic through hundreds of photos, paintings and collages. It includes displays of events such as the battles of Gallipoli, Sakarya and Dumlupınar, models of Turkish WWI warships and more than 50 portraits of the man himself. Visitors can watch an Atatürk documentary if they have the time. The house was originally the Mestanoğlu Halil Mansion and was chosen because İsmet İnönü, commander of the Turkish troops during the First Battle of İnönü in 1921, stayed here.
Inside the Eskisehir Museum of Independence there are interactive games for kids to play, and focussed exhibitions in each of the rooms. Two alcoves are covered with the names of men from Eskisehir who lost their lives in the Turkish War of Independence. There’s even a wax statue of Ataturk for those who want to take a selfie with the great man.
However for me the most interesting part of the display was the “War of Independence with Cartoons” section. Humorous magazines published between 1919 and 1923 were on display, showing the Allies occupying Istanbul, the Ottoman Government of Ahmet Tevfik Pasha, and people and corporations opposing the War of Independence.
Here’s an example of one of the cartoons. For fear of starting another war I won’t share the caption that was underneath it, but it gives an idea of the cutting edge (sorry, couldn’t help myself) nature of the humour.
The Eskisehir Museum of Independence is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. Here’s the link to the website . It’s in Turkish but you can always use Google translate to read it in English. However in the museum itself, almost all the items on display have English descriptions as well as Turkish, and the documentary is subtitled. We went in September 2021 and entry cost 7tl.
How to visit Eskisehir Museum yourself
Check out this post with information how to get there, what to see and eat and where to stay.
Other helpful tips for planning your trip to Turkey
Before you even buy your plane ticket, check whether you need an EVISA. Here’s my post on everything to know before you take off, including how to buy one from the government website so you don’t pay extra.
Even if I never claim on it, I always take out TRAVEL INSURANCE. I recommend Visitors Coverage.
eSIM are the way to stay connected wherever you travel. I recommend Truely, an eSIM provider working with local telcos. You can buy it before or after you arrive in Turkey, to use for 1 to as many days as you need. Truly eSIM are straightforward to install and activate but if you have any problems their responsive Whatsapp customer service is available 24/7.
Use my code: insideoutinistanbul and get 5% off when you order through the Truely website.
ACCOMMODATION: When I want to find a place to stay I use Booking.com.
For FLIGHTS I like to use Kiwi.com. Once you land the next decision you’ll have to make is how to get to your hotel. I’m a big advocate of public transport, but know it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. When I need to be picked up from or get to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I use one of these GetYourGuide AIRPORT TRANSFERS.
If you’re travelling alone, check out this post on useful solo travel tips Turkey for women (and men).
Now that’s all the practical stuff out of the way, here’s the fun stuff.
CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Let me guide you around Kadikoy with my audio walking tour Stepping back through Chalcedon or venture further afield with Istanbul 50 Unsung Places, my bespoke guidebook. I know you’ll love visiting the lesser-known sites I’ve included. It’s based on using public transport as much as possible so you won’t be adding too much to your carbon footprint. Then read about what you’ve seen and experienced in my three essay collections and memoir about moving to Istanbul permanently.
Browse the GetYourGuide website or Viator to find even more ways to experience Istanbul and Turkey with food tours, visits to the old city, evening Bosphorus cruises and more!
However you travel, stay safe and have fun! Iyi yolculuklar.
