So you've made it to Samsun, walked along its famous coast, maybe even tasted its delicious pide... But where should you start to truly touch the soul of this beautiful Black Sea city, to hear its story from its own mouth? The answer is simple: from a memory center waiting for you right in the heart of the city, the Samsun City Museum. If your list of things to do in Samsun City Museum is at the top of your Samsun itinerary, you're in the right place. This isn't just an ordinary place where old items are displayed; it's a vibrant center that transfers the city's social, historical, and cultural memory to future generations. In fact, it's so successful that it became a finalist for the XX. Luigi Micheletti Award, placing it among Europe's most prestigious museums. Let's step through the doors of this special museum together and rediscover Samsun.   

Learn about the city's social history in the museum established in the historic railway lodgings

Before you even step into the museum, two wooden buildings greet you, taking you on a journey back in time. These buildings themselves are an exhibit. They were built in 1928, as part of the great development drive in the early years of the Republic. Just as the project to knit the country with iron networks was crucial back then, so were the people who would operate those networks. These buildings served as lodgings and administrative offices for the staff of the Samsun-Sivas Railway.   

The smaller building right next to them is another witness to the city's social life: the Demirspor Club. In those years, having a "Demirspor" club named after a city was a sign of how important a stop that city was on its journey to modernization. This club was a meeting point for railway workers and athletes for years.   

Years later, as part of the Historical Cities Union's "A City Museum for Every City" project, these valuable structures were expropriated, restored, and opened their doors in 2013 to house the city's memory. So as you tour the museum, you're not just looking at objects in display cases, but also witnessing the story of these historic buildings, imbued with the spirit of the Republic.   

Learn about Samsun's tobacco history and handicrafts

When you step inside, you're greeted by two important elements that make up Samsun's economic and cultural DNA: Tobacco and craftsmanship. One of the museum's most impressive sections is dedicated to tobacco farming, once the city's most important source of livelihood. In this section, you see not only the agricultural story of tobacco but also how it shaped a city, affected the fate of families, and created a culture.   

The social life created by this economic revival comes to life in the museum's "Traditional Bazaar-Arasta" section. This part literally takes you for a walk down an old Samsun street. The handicrafts, shops, and artisan culture of that period are so beautifully recreated that you can feel yourself in those times for a moment. This section shows that the city was not just about tobacco, but also had a rich artisan culture.   

The secret to the museum's richness is a true city-wide collaboration. Many institutions, from the Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Chamber of Pharmacists, opened their archives to contribute to the creation of this memory center. Thanks to this, the museum not only displays the past but also keeps the city's collective memory alive.   

Listen to the sad memories of the population exchange period

Perhaps the most poignant and unforgettable part of the Samsun City Museum is the section dedicated to the population exchange years. With the population exchange agreement signed between Turkey and Greece in 1923, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave the lands where they were born for an unknown future. Samsun was one of the most important ports where thousands of exchangees, or 'mübadils', first set foot in Anatolia.   

The museum chooses a much more powerful way to tell this great human drama than with numbers or dry historical facts. When you sit at the kiosks in the "Oral History" section, you have the opportunity to listen to the memories of the first-generation exchangees in their own voices. Their sad departure stories, the difficult days on the ship, and their first moments in their new homeland... These memories, so real and so human that you can't read them in history books, confront you with the reality of the exchange.   

This section turns the visitor from an observer into a witness. When you hear the sadness, hope, and resilience in those people's voices, you understand that history is made up not only of great events but also of countless personal stories. The museum's sensitivity on this subject is also evident from its collaboration with the Alaçam Population Exchange Museum, Turkey's first museum on the exchange. This allows the museum to offer its visitors not just information, but also a deep experience of empathy.   

Now That You're Here...

After learning about the city's soul and past at the Samsun City Museum, it's time to hit the streets where that history was made! We have a few great suggestions for where you can continue your tour after leaving the museum:

Gazi Museum: Just a few minutes' walk from the City Museum, this building is the Mıntıka Palas hotel where Atatürk stayed when he arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919. You can feel the story of the National Struggle, which you learned about in the City Museum, more deeply in the place where the hero of the event stayed.   

Bandırma Ferry and National Struggle Park: Don't leave Samsun without visiting the exact replica of the Bandırma Ferry, the symbol of the historic journey that started the National Struggle. Inside the museum ship, you will relive those days.   

For more ideas on all the museums and historical spots in Samsun, be sure to check out our article on (https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/city/samsun).

If you want to turn your trip into a full Samsun tour, don't forget to look at the comprehensive Samsun Tours we've prepared for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where is Samsun City Museum and how to get there? The museum is located in İlkadım, the central district of Samsun, on Cumhuriyet Street. Its location is very central, so transportation is quite easy. If you are using the tram, you can get off at the "Gar Station" stop and reach the museum with a short walk. Many bus lines coming from the bus terminal or different parts of the city also pass near the museum.   

2. What is the entrance fee and what are the visiting hours for Samsun City Museum? Museum visit information may change over time. The table below will help you get the most up-to-date information, but we recommend confirming by phone before you go.

3. How long does it take to tour the museum on average? An average of 1.5 to 2 hours will be enough to tour the museum, absorbing its rich content and enjoying it. This time may be a little longer if you want to listen to the oral history recordings and examine all the details.

References: For the most current and official information about the museum, you can visit the relevant page of the T.R. Ministry of Culture and Tourism: ((https://samsun.ktb.gov.tr/TR-362754/samsun-kent-muzesi.html))