Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum

Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum is a museum established in Şanlıurfa to document the life and artistic career of Müslüm Gürses (real name Müslüm Akbaş, 1953–2013), one of the leading figures of Turkish arabesk music. The museum aims to introduce visitors to Gürses’s artistic world by displaying his personal belongings, stage costumes, musical instruments, records and cassette tapes, awards, and a wax statue. Visitors can explore the museum accompanied by the songs performed by Gürses.

^{Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum} (Anadolu Agency)

The museum is located within Atatürk Neighborhood’s Karaköprü Life Park in Şanlıurfa. The museum building is the Mahmut Nedim Mansion, constructed in 1903, and is made of cut stone featuring prominent wooden carvings that blend European and traditional Urfa architectural styles. During the War of Independence, the building served as a headquarters, and traces of battle damage remain visible on its walls. One section of the mansion houses the Liberation Museum, another section is used by the State Folk Music Choir, and a third section is dedicated to the Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum.

The Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum, opened on 1 October 2013 to honor the memory of the artist, is situated in his birthplace, the Karaköprü district of Şanlıurfa. It was established as part of Karaköprü Mayor Metin Baydilli’s initiative to transform the district into a museum town.

The museum is housed in the Mahmut Nedim Mansion, built in 1903 and featuring a fusion of European and traditional Urfa architectural elements. Constructed from cut stone with prominent wooden carvings, the building served as a headquarters during the War of Independence, and battle marks are still visible on its walls. One part of the mansion is used as the Liberation Museum, another as the State Folk Music Choir’s facility, and a third as the Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum.

The Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum displays the artist’s personal belongings, including stage outfits, shoes, glasses, prayer beads, watches, vinyl records, cassette tapes, musical instruments, and a wax statue. Visitors can explore the museum free of charge, accompanied by recordings of Gürses’s songs. Additionally, the museum exhibits photographs from the artist’s childhood and youth, as well as the costumes he wore during his concerts.

The museum welcomes visitors daily from 09:00 to 18:00, except on Mondays. The 2018 film “Müslüm,” which chronicles the artist’s life, significantly increased public interest in the museum.

The Müslüm Gürses Music and Art Museum is an important cultural and artistic space that preserves the memory of “Müslüm Baba,” one of the legendary figures of arabesk music. Beyond serving as an emotional destination for the artist’s fans, the museum also fulfills the vital function of preserving valuable documents and artifacts related to music and cinema history.