Beşkonaklar Ethnography Museum and Traditional Malatya House

Beşkonaklar Ethnography Museum and Traditional Malatya House is a cultural structure located in the Battalgazi district of Malatya province, representing an example of traditional civil architecture and housing ethnographic artifacts. This complex of mansions was constructed in the early 20th century by Hacı Sait Efendi (Turfanda) and his siblings from prominent Malatya families and opened to the public as a museum in 2008.

Beşkonaklar was built approximately 120 years ago by Hacı Sait Efendi (Turfanda) and his siblings, among the leading families of Malatya. Initially, a cihannümalı mansion with an upper floor open in all directions was constructed, followed by the addition of four adjacent mansions to form a group of five. It was registered as an immovable cultural heritage in 1978. Restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism between 2007 and 2008, the mansions were opened to the public on 8 August 2008 as the Beşkonaklar Ethnography Museum. Further exhibition and arrangement updates were carried out in 2015.

The structure sustained damage during the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 and was temporarily closed to visitors for restoration works.

^{Beşkonaklar Ethnography Museum (}Republic of Türkiye, Malatya Governorship⁾

Beşkonaklar consists of two-story buildings constructed on cut-stone foundations with adobe walls. The structural beams, joinery, windows, doors, ceiling beams, flooring and ceilings were crafted using traditional woodworking techniques. Doors are double-leaved and feature a wind vent or light opening above. Windows are gabled and latticed. The entrance leads to a spacious sofah known as “hayat” or “taşlık,” which connects to the kitchen, pantry and sitting rooms. The upper floors contain rooms known as “kış damı,” used during winter, along with cedar-lined, beam-supported, and cupboard-equipped spaces.

In some of the mansions, streams flow through the courtyards, and stone-paved paths and passageways once used by carriages are notable. The building layout was shaped according to Malatya’s local climate and lifestyle.

Administrative functions are carried out in Building No. 3, while Mansions No. 13 and No. 15 are open to visitors. Building No. 13 is arranged as the consultation, security and entrance area. Its upper floor features living reconstructions of a traditional Malatya House. From here, visitors access the exhibition halls on the upper floor of Building No. 15. Stone artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods are displayed in the courtyards of the mansions.

^{Interior Space (}Culture Portal⁾

Arranged based on urban life in the early 1900s, the scene depicts the master of the house drinking coffee while a guest plays the ud. A charcoal brazier stands in the center. A clock and a gas lamp are placed on a drawer cabinet.

^{Chief Room (}Culture Portal⁾

In this room, where women gathered and performed daily tasks, a scene is recreated showing a grandmother braiding her granddaughter’s hair while holding a baby. Elements such as a cradle, a wooden rack, and a sewing machine are displayed.

The hearth features a chimney, with shelves on either side for storing utensils. Dried vegetables hang from the ceiling. Grains are stored in a Zahire chest. A child eats around a large tray while a woman stirs soup.

Walls are lined with sieves, a yogurt strainer, a teapot, and cauldrons. Products such as grape molasses, pickles and oil are stored in earthenware jars. A scene depicting yogurt fermentation is also displayed.

The museum features six thematic exhibition groups:

Traditional Handicrafts: Looms, fabric printing examples.

Illumination and Locking Systems: Gas lamps, seals, keys.

Kitchen Utensils: Pots, trays, jugs, grinding stones.

Women’s Clothing and Accessories: Regional attire, jewelry, headwear.

Men’s Clothing and Accessories: Şalvar trousers, pocket watches, accessories.

Weapons: Firearms, swords, daggers.

^{Weapons (}Republic of Türkiye Malatya Governorship⁾

Address: Kernek Neighborhood, Beşkonaklar Street, Malatya

Email:

Phone:

0422 321 3006

0422 324 9898