Ethnography Museum, Izmir

Housed in a historic 19th-century Neoclassical building, the İzmir Ethnography Museum provides a captivating glimpse into the traditional arts, crafts, and customs of the region from the Seljuk period onwards. Admission to the museum is free, making it an accessible attraction for both locals and tourists.

Originally built in 1831 as Saint Roche Hospital, the four-story stone structure has undergone several transformations throughout its history. It was renovated by the French in 1845 and converted into a nursing home for impoverished Christian families. Later, it served as the Public Health and Health Directorate before being handed over to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1984, which then repurposed it as the Ethnography Museum.

The museum features a diverse collection of colorful displays, including dioramas, photos, and information panels that demonstrate various aspects of local life. Exhibits include an array of traditional handicrafts that are slowly fading due to industrialization, such as tin-plating, pottery, eye beading, wood printing, carpet weaving, rope making, felt making, and saddlery. Visitors can also explore exhibits on unique local traditions like camel wrestling, alongside displays of weaponry, jewelry, and a rich assortment of illustrated manuscripts.

A notable highlight of the museum is its recreation of historical settings, such as a 19th-century bridal room and the first Turkish pharmacy in İzmir, the Union Pharmacy. These immersive displays offer a sense of the social life and domestic environments of İzmir in the past centuries.

Located within the same garden as the İzmir Archaeology Museum, the İzmir Ethnography Museum stands as a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage, providing an engaging experience for those interested in exploring the intricacies of daily life and artisanal practices in the region.