PTT Stamp Museum (Ankara)

The PTT Stamp Museum is a building located in the Ulus district of Ankara. This museum was established to showcase the history of stamps—small paper pieces—and postal services. In the past, stamps served as proof of payment for the delivery of letters and postcards. The museum presents the historical journey of communication by displaying collections of stamps from Türkiye and around the world.

PTT Stamp Museum (Culture Portal)

Architecture of the Museum Building

The museum building has a historical past. It was completed in 1934 according to the design of Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister. Initially, it served as a bank. The Postal and Telegraph Organization (PTT) renovated the structure and opened it as the Stamp Museum in 2013.

The building was constructed in the Neoclassical style, which draws inspiration from the orderly and balanced lines of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It is a five-story structure housing exhibition halls for stamps.

PTT Stamp Museum (Culture Portal)

Journey Through Time: The Story of the Stamp

Stamp usage began during the Ottoman Empire in 1863, approximately 160 years ago. At this time, the Ottoman State issued its first postage stamp. The initial stamp featured the "tuğra," the calligraphic monogram of the reigning sultan. Stamps were part of a system requiring the sender to pay postage in advance.

PTT Stamp Museum (Culture Portal)

What Are the Collections in the Museum?

The museum’s collection includes thousands of stamps, ranging from Türkiye’s first stamp to current issues. Stamps from the Ottoman period, the War of Independence, and the Republican era are displayed chronologically.

In addition to the Turkish collection, the museum also houses numerous foreign stamp collections from various countries around the world. It is reported that more than 6,000 stamps are on display. Furthermore, historical equipment used in postal services, materials used in stamp printing, and uniforms worn by PTT employees in the past are also exhibited. The museum features special activity areas designed to introduce children to the hobby of stamp collecting.