Did a ferry museum pop up while you were making your list of things to do in Bandırma? If so, allow me to take you on a journey that will both surprise and fill you with pride. Because this ferry isn't docked in the beautiful district of Bandırma in Balıkesir, from which it gets its name, but in Samsun, the city where the first torch of the National Struggle was lit. This sweet mix-up is actually a historic invitation, opening a door for you to witness the birth of the Republic of Turkey.

When you find yourself in Samsun, you must visit this special museum where you'll feel the spirit of not just a ship, but the legendary vessel that carried the destiny of a nation. Come, let's step onto the deck together and take a voyage back in time to the hopeful days of 1919. This isn't just an ordinary trip; it will be a journey into the very heart of history.

Step aboard an exact replica of the ship that launched the National Struggle

The ship that greets you as you enter the museum is not the original vessel that witnessed the turbulent days of history. The original ship has a sad story. However, today's museum is a magnificent replica, built in complete fidelity to the original to keep that historic spirit alive. Even this replica has an atmosphere powerful enough to transport you to those moments.   

So, what was the real story of this ship? It was built in 1878 in a shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland, as a cargo and passenger ship named Trocadero. Over the years, it was sold to different companies, its name changing first to Kymi, then Panderma, and finally, in 1894, it passed into Ottoman administration and received its famous name, Bandırma. It even narrowly escaped a torpedo attack from a British submarine during World War I, as if protected by fate for its historic mission.   

After completing the most important journey in history—carrying Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his comrades from Istanbul on May 16, 1919, and arriving in Samsun on the morning of May 19—it served for a while longer. Unfortunately, the value of a ship that performed such a crucial task was not understood in those years. It was decommissioned in 1924 and sold to a scrap dealer in the Golden Horn in 1925, where it was dismantled. Just like a nation rising from its ashes, the Bandırma Ferry was reborn years later as a monument through a project initiated in 1999. This replica, built in 300 days faithful to its original drawings, opened its doors to visitors as a museum on May 18, 2003.   

Relive historic moments with the wax figures inside the ferry

The moment you step onto the deck, you'll feel time stand still as the iodine-scented Black Sea breeze hits your face. The ship is located in the heart of the National Struggle Park and Open-Air Museum, which spans a vast 35,000 square meters. This park takes you on a complete historical journey, hosting not only the ship but also statues from the period, monuments to heroism, and inscriptions bearing the names of our 1,200 martyrs.   

Inside the ship, you are first greeted by the main exhibition area, called the reception hall. This is where the magic happens. In the middle of the room, wax figures of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades stand as if they have just paused an important meeting. These sculptures, made in the workshop of Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen, are so realistic that for a moment, you feel like a secret witness to that historic meeting.   

The room's atmosphere is completed with a mariner's clock from 1878, an antique telephone, maps on the table, and measurement instruments. When you move to the captain's bridge, you encounter the wax figures of the ship's captain, İsmail Hakkı Durusu, and his crew. Details like the compass and speed control panel vividly illustrate the conditions of that arduous and hopeful three-day journey. This museum doesn't just show you objects; it makes you relive those moments like a time machine.   

Examine Atatürk's cabin and his personal belongings

Perhaps the most impressive and special moment of your tour on the ship will be when you step into Atatürk's cabin. This is the most private space of a leader, a commander. It's here that the great name you read about in history books suddenly takes on flesh and blood, touching you with his human side. The simplicity of the cabin, combined with the spiritual weight of the items inside, makes it impossible not to feel a lump in your throat.

Among the items displayed in the showcases are pieces that make you understand what it means to touch history. Atatürk's original Belgian-made Nagant brand service pistol stands as a concrete symbol of his determination and courage. Replicas of the clothes he wore at Dolmabahçe Palace and on the Savarona Yacht showcase his elegance and style.   

But perhaps the most moving are the documents he penned in his own handwriting and the original 1923 Ottoman Turkish edition of the Treaty of Lausanne. These documents are not just pieces of paper; they are the founding charter of a nation, the title deed of its independence. In those moments, you deeply feel that the future of a nation was shaped in this small cabin, among these belongings.   

Build a Historic Bridge from Samsun to Bandırma

As you leave the Bandırma Ferry Museum, you will take with you not just beautiful photos, but an unforgettable experience of the most critical moments of our national history. If you've been inspired by this historic journey, your adventure doesn't have to end in Samsun. How about exploring the beautiful Marmara city that gave the ferry its name—Bandırma, the pearl of Balıkesir?

Bandırma and its surroundings offer entirely different beauties. You can observe thousands of migratory birds at the world-famous Kuşcenneti National Park and spend a peaceful day in nature. If your passion for history continues, you can embark on another journey through time among the mysterious ruins of Kyzikos and Daskyleion, which are among the(https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/city/balikesir/things-to-do). This way, you can crown the love for history that began in Samsun with a visit to Bandırma.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where exactly is the Bandırma Ferry Museum and how can I get there? The museum is not located in Bandırma, Balıkesir, but on the Doğu Park coast in the Canik district of Samsun. You can easily reach the museum from the city center by minibuses, bus lines such as 22/23, 28, E1, E3, or by tram (getting off at the Kılıçdede stop and taking a short walk).   

2. What are the entrance fees and visiting hours for the Bandırma Ferry Museum? Entrance fees and visiting hours may change periodically. According to 2023 information, a full ticket was 10 TL, and a student ticket was 5 TL. The museum is open seven days a week, generally operating from 08:30-18:45 in the summer and 08:00-17:00 in the winter. We recommend confirming the current information through the museum's communication channels before your visit.   

3. What happened to the original Bandırma Ferry? After completing its historic journey, the original ferry served for a while longer but was unfortunately decommissioned in 1924 and sold for scrap in the Golden Horn in 1925, where it was dismantled. The ship you see in the museum today is an exact replica built in 2001, completely faithful to the original plans.   

Bibliography

For a more in-depth reading on the subject and to learn more about the beginning of the National Struggle, you can review this comprehensive article prepared by TRT Haber: (https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/milli-mucadelenin-ilk-adimi-kurtulus-yolu-104-yilinda-768524.html)