Bandırma Ship Museum

19 May 1919 is the date recognized as the beginning of the nation’s struggle for independence. The path leading to this date encompasses a period marked by the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in the First World War and the rapid acceleration of its disintegration following the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres after war. 19 May 1919 signifies the foundation of the Turkish War of Independence.

The journey undertaken by Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his comrades from Istanbul to Samsun is one phase of this struggle. The Bandırma Vapuru, which departed from Istanbul on 16 May 1919, arrived in Samsun on 19 May and contributed to the resistance movement against the occupiers. This voyage of the Bandırma Vapuru marks the initial stage of the independence struggle.

After arriving in Samsun, Mustafa Kemal Paşa began organizing the independence struggle there and took steps to strengthen resistance movements across various regions of Anatolia. These developments constituted the beginning of the War of Independence.

The Bandırma Vapuru at Anchor (Source: Government of Samsun, Türkiye)

The Situation in Istanbul After the Armistice of Mudros and the Role of the Bandırma Vapuru

Following the signing of the Armistice of Mudros, Istanbul was occupied by the Allied Powers, and key strategic points in the city came under the control of foreign military forces. As part of this, the Dardanelles were militarized by the British to control maritime traffic, and all ships departing from Istanbul toward the Black Sea were stopped and searched by British officers. This surveillance made travel from Istanbul to Anatolia extremely degree risky.

On 16 May 1919, as the Bandırma Vapuru set out from Istanbul toward Samsun, it was subjected to British inspection off the Kız Kulesi. This journey, carried out under the command of Mustafa Kemal Paşa, could have altered the course of history had the British detected and blocked it. However, as no irregularities were found during the search, passage was permitted and the vessel continued on its steamship route.

Mustafa Kemal Paşa’s Appointment as Inspector of the 9th Army

On 30 April 1919, a decree signed by Ottoman Sultan Vahdettin appointed Mustafa Kemal Paşa as Inspector of the 9th Army. Under this appointment, he was granted authority to ensure security in the east provinces, oversee the collection of weapons, and maintain public order. This authority provided a suitable foundation for the independence struggle, which Mustafa Kemal Paşa utilized to organize the population.

Departure of the Bandırma Vapuru from Istanbul and Its Voyage Route

On the afternoon of 16 May 1919, the Bandırma Vapuru departed from Istanbul, passed through the Bosphorus, and began its journey to the Black Sea. After passing the British checkpoint, the vessel was again stopped by a British warship near Tekirdağ and subjected to a second inspection. Finding no impediments, travel continued its journey, and the vessel reached the waters of Samsun on the morning of 19 May 1919.

At that time, Samsun had no pier or port, so the Bandırma Vapuru anchored offshore, and Mustafa Kemal Paşa and his delegation were transferred to land via small boats. The landing point was the Tobacco Pier in Samsun, which became one of the symbolic locations of the process.

Statues of Captain İsmail Hakkı (Durusu) Bey, Assistant Captain Üsküdarlı Tahsin Bey, and Cipher Clerk İsmail Bey (Source: Government of Samsun, Türkiye)

Technical Specifications and Ownership Changes of the Bandırma Vapuru

The Bandırma Vapuru was constructed in 1878 at the McIntyre & Co. shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland. Originally named “Trocadero,” the vessel was renamed “Kymi” in 1880 and began operating under the Greek flag. After running aground on rocks in 1891 and being salvaged, it was brought to Istanbul. In 1894, it was purchased by the Ottoman State and incorporated into the İdare-i Mahsusa, beginning service under the name “Bandırma.” In 1910, it was transferred to the Ottoman Directorate of Navigation.

The vessel, which provided postal, load and passenger services along the Marmara, Black Sea, and Aegean coasts, was old and worn. With no first-class cabins, its living quarters were cramped and uncomfortable.

Decommissioning and Disassembly of the Bandırma Vapuru

After the proclamation of the Republic, the vessel was transferred to the Turkish Directorate of Navigation, decommissioned in 1924, and sold to a Turkish owner in 1925. It was scrapped the same year and dismantled.

Construction and Museum Conversion of the Bandırma Vapuru Replica

To preserve the historical significance of the Bandırma Vapuru, the Samsun Provincial Administration decided to construct a replica. Initiated in accordance with the Samsun Provincial Council’s decision of 23 November 1999, the project was carried out in cooperation between the Samsun Provincial Special Administration and the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality. Construction of the replica was completed on 15 April 2001 and opened to the public on 18 May 2003 at the Doğupark location in Samsun.

The museum vessel was built to the same dimensions as the original. After being transferred to the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality in 2005, the museum operates under the Culture and Directorate of Social Affairs.

Exhibited Elements in the Bandırma Vapuru and National Struggle Park Open-Air Museum

The Bandırma Vapuru and National Struggle Park Open-Air Museum is a structure designed to convey the historical process of the Bandırma Vapuru. It is located at the Doğupark site in Samsun. Through its exhibition elements, it presents various artifacts from the period.

Bandırma Vapuru Replica

Inside the museum vessel, the cabin used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during the journey, the meeting hall, the radio room, and the officers’ cabins have been arranged. Wax figures of the comrades who participated in the voyage are displayed aboard the ship. On deck, period-appropriate figures and ship equipment are exhibited.

Bandırma Vapuru (Source: Culture Portal)

Ten Bronze Reliefs

In the open-air museum area, ten bronze reliefs depicting the stages of the Turkish War of Independence are exhibited. These reliefs artistically portray key historical events from the beginning of the war to the proclamation of the Republic. Among the scenes depicted are the Amasya Circular, the Erzurum and Sivas Congresses, the Battle of Sakarya, and the Great Offensive like, representing critical phases of the struggle.

Ceramic Reliefs (Source: Culture Portal)

Atatürk Monument and Statues of National Struggle Heroes

Within the park stands a monument representing Mustafa Kemal Atatürk alongside bronze statues of his eighteen comrades. These statues reflect the identities of the individuals while concretizing the collective spirit of the National Struggle. Each figure has been designed with historical accuracy, reflecting the military uniforms and postures of the era loyal.

Wax Figures in the Cabin (Source: Culture Portal)

1919 Panorama

The 1919 Panorama within the museum is a large-scale panoramic display that vividly recreates the urban fabric, harbor surroundings, and daily life of Samsun in 1919. This three-dimensional work allows visitors to directly experience the atmosphere of the period, enabling historical events to transcend mere narrative and be supported by immersive abstract visual elements.

Nine bronze reliefs representing the years of the liberation struggle initiated by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk after his arrival in Samsun on 19 May 1919 and the circulars he issued (Source: Government of Samsun, Türkiye)

Path to Liberation and Relief Panel Walkway

Integrated into the museum complex, the Path to Liberation is a symbolic route representing the independence movement that began in Samsun and spread across Anatolia. Along this Road, relief panels narrate the stages of the National Struggle through both written information and relief visual elements. Visitors who follow this path step by step step experience a sense of walking through history.

Shahids’ Memorial Tablet and Monument

The park also features a Memorial Tablet bearing the names of the heroes who lost their lives during the National Struggle and a monument dedicated to them. This monumental building aims to preserve historical memory and offers visitors a emotion emotionally charged contemplation space.

Samsun Martyrs’ Memorial Tablet (Source: Government of Samsun, Türkiye)

Amphitheater and Ceremony Area

The amphitheater within the open-air museum is used for historical presentations, ceremonies, documentary performances, and official commemorative programs. The civil ceremony area hosts official celebrations with protocol and public participation, particularly on significant occasions such as 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Closed Exhibition Halls and Event Spaces

The closed exhibition halls within the complex are equipped with period documents, photographs, maps, personal belongings, and multimedia content. Additionally, a visual chronology of Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun is presented, providing educational guidance services to visitors. Event spaces are arranged to host temporary exhibitions, educational workshops, and cultural activities.

Original Ottoman-language print of the Treaty of Lausanne, published in 1923 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Source: Republic of Türkiye Samsun Governorship)

Visit Information

The Bandırma Vapuru and National Struggle Park Open-Air Museum is located at the Doğupark site within the Canik district of Samsun. The museum operates under the responsibility of the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality and is open to visitors every day of the year. Entry is permitted during specific hours and requires a ticket.

Address: Doğupark, Bandırma Vapuru and National Struggle Park, Canik / Samsun

Opening Hours: 09.00 – 17.00 (may vary according to Summer and winter schedules.)

Open Days: Every day of the week (open on official holidays)

Admission Fee: Museum entry fees are determined by the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, with discounted rates for students, teachers, and visitors over 65 age.

Visitors are permitted to take photographs within the museum grounds. However, professional photography and special shooting requests require prior permission from the municipality. Guided tours are provided for visitors, particularly for student groups, accompanied by historical information.

The voyage between 16 and 19 May 1919 constitutes the first physical step in the founding process of the Republic of Türkiye.