Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Ankara)

Rahmi M. Koç Museum is located opposite the main entrance of Ankara Castle and opened to the public in 2005. It is Türkiye’s second and Ankara’s first industrial museum. The museum consists of two main sections: the historic Çengelhan and Safranhan. Exhibits focus on the history of transportation industry communication and daily life. The collection comprises more than 4000 objects spanning a wide range of fields including small models steam engines classic automobiles toys and medical instruments.

^{Rahmi M. Koç Museum} (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Constructed between 1522 and 1523 during the reign of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman by Damat Rüstem Paşa husband of Mihrimah Sultan Çengelhan is one of the four largest hans of its era and one of the rare structures in the Hanlar district that has preserved its original character. Before being abandoned in the late twentieth century it served as a spice warehouse and wool storage facility and also housed the shop where Vehbi Koç founder of Koç Holding began his business career. Between 2003 and 2005 restoration work was carried out to reinforce the structure while preserving its original form and sensitive areas such as the courtyard were protected with glass ceilings. In April 2005 the museum was opened to the public by the Rahmi M. Koç Museum and Culture Foundation.

Constructed in 1511 as a typical Anatolian caravanserai Safranhan was used as a prison during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Republic and later served as a storage facility. Restoration work under the patronage of the Rahmi M. Koç Museum and Culture Foundation began in 2012 and was completed by 2016 after which it was opened to the public as an extension of the museum.

Çengelhan is a structure with a nearly square rectangular plan and exemplifies classical Ottoman urban hans. At its center is an open courtyard surrounded by arcades with vaulted ceilings. Safranhan reflects the typical plan of an Anatolian caravanserai. Both hans were strengthened and preserved during restoration while maintaining their original forms.

The museum’s collection is displayed in 32 rooms and organized into the following categories:

• Transportation and Industry: Maritime transport road transport aviation and agricultural machinery.
• Medicine and Science: Historical scientific instruments medical and pharmaceutical equipment.
• Technology: Typewriters computers sewing and embroidery machines.
• Toys and Modeling: Model toys model houses porcelain dolls and doll clothing.
• Artisans Street: Shops of hatmakers coppersmiths carpenters shoemakers and felt makers along with signboard models.
• Koç Family Models: Models of aircraft boats and canoes.
• History and Ankara Section: Personal belongings of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and a copy of Time magazine featuring Atatürk on its cover.

The museum is open daily except on Mondays.