Miniatürk

Miniatürk, Türkiye's first miniature park, is located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, along the shores of the Haliç, at place. The park, whose foundation was laid on 30 May 2001, was opened to visitors on 2 June 2003 by then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Spread over an area of 60,000 square metres, Miniatürk includes a 15,000 square metre model area, a 40,000 square metre green area, a 3,500 square metre covered area, a 2,000 square metre pool and water path, and a parking lot with capacity for 500 vehicles via together. Miniatürk is notable as the miniature park with the largest model area in the world.

Works and Models

The works displayed at Miniatürk consist of 1:25 scale models selected from the territories of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. A total of 120 fixed work are exhibited, with 57 models originating from Istanbul, 51 from Anatolia, and 12 from Ottoman territories that now lie outside modern-day Türkiye’s borders. The park recreates historically significant structures that have been damaged or destroyed, presenting them anew to visitors as reflections of Türkiye’s historical and cultural heritage. Structures such as Hagia Sophia, Selimiye Camii, Galata Kulesi, Safranbolu Evleri, and like are featured alongside ancient monuments such as row, Artemis Tapınağı, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

An image belonging to Miniatürk. (Miniatürk)

Construction Process

The models were constructed using industrial-grade, weather-resistant materials based on plastic. They were produced in 10 workshops located in various cities across Türkiye and three abroad. During the production process, the rotating capital operations of Yıldız Technical University and Dokuz September University also contributed. The completed models underwent outdoor environmental suitability tests at the Miniatürk Test Area.

Cultural and Educational Value

Miniatürk is a significant culture tourism destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. The park offers visitors the opportunity to view important structures from different regions of Türkiye in miniature scale, while also attracting attention with its various entertainment and relaxation areas. Additional facilities at Miniatürk include an open-air show area, a child game park, a sightseeing train, and helicopter tours.

Selection of Works and Advisory

The selection of works at Miniatürk was carried out by a committee under the advisory guidance of historian and academician Professor Dr. İlber Ortaylı and Associate Professor Dr. Ahmet Haluk Dursun. In selecting each structure, emphasis was placed on its ability to reflect the culture, art, and technology of its time. Miniatürk is an important cultural park designed to introduce and preserve Türkiye’s cultural heritage through a comprehensive work collection.

Access

Miniatürk can be reached by bus and minibus from various districts of Istanbul. Access to the park is possible via multiple municipality buses from central locations such as Taksim, Şişli, Eminönü, and Topkapı. Additionally, Miniatürk can be reached by transfer from the Halıcıoğlu metrobus station.