Bursa Forestry Museum

The Bursa Forestry Museum is the first museum in Türkiye established dedicated to forestry. The museum houses a unique collection that illustrates the importance of forests and the evolution of the forestry profession. Forests are not merely collections of trees; they also harbor animals living within them, fossils millions of years old, and fascinating tools used in forestry—all of which are displayed in this museum.

Forests are among nature’s most valuable gifts to us. The museum demonstrates to children, through concrete examples, the importance of conserving forests and using them responsibly. In this way, visitors develop a sense of responsibility toward forests while learning about both history and nature.

Bursa Forestry Museum (Bursa Technical University)

Time Travel

This museum is housed in a historic building known as the Clockmaker Pavilion, constructed in the 19th century—approximately 100 to 200 years ago. The pavilion was originally owned by Saatçi Ali Efendi, a prominent figure from one of Bursa’s distinguished families, and served for many years as a private residence.

In 1939, the building became the Bursa Middle Forestry School, established to train young foresters. After the school closed, it was used for a time as the Regional Forestry Directorate. In 1989, the building was restored and transformed into the Bursa Forestry Museum as it exists today, opening its doors to the public. This structure serves as a gateway to both the history of forestry and the traditional architecture of Bursa.

Bursa Forestry Museum (Culture Portal)

What Can We See in the Museum?

Approximately 1,000 artifacts are exhibited in the museum, each illustrating various aspects of forests and the forestry profession.

The Million-Year History of Trees (Fossils): One of the museum’s most captivating sections is the fossil room. A fossil is the petrified remains of plants or animals that lived in ancient times. Here, you can view fossils of plants and animals that are 14 million years old. Additionally, the museum holds a two-million-year-old fossil of the sequoia tree, which today grows in the United States.

Scenes from Forest Life: The museum displays mummified specimens of various animals and insects that inhabit forests. This allows visitors to closely examine the biodiversity of forest ecosystems and observe the physical characteristics of these creatures.

Tools Used in Forestry: You can see tools used in forestry both in the past and today. These include instruments for cutting trees and branding tools, known as the “title deeds” of forests—devices used to mark trees and indicate ownership.

Bursa Forestry Museum (Culture Portal)

What Is the Purpose of Maps and Documents?

The museum does not display only fossils and tools. It also exhibits historical maps drawn in the early 1900s—approximately 100 years ago—and aerial photographs. These maps provide vital information about the location, boundaries, and conservation methods of forests in the past. Antique communication devices used in forestry engineering, such as radios, are also displayed in this section.