The Bedesten City Museum is an urban museum established through the restoration and repurposing of the historic Sokollu Mehmet Paşa Bedesteni for museum use. The museum was implemented under a project led by Niğde Municipality, aiming to document and exhibit the city’s historical, cultural, and social heritage.

Location and History

The museum is housed within the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Bedesten, located in the Niğde Kale Neighborhood, covering an area of approximately 1,200 square meters. The structure was commissioned by Sokollu Mehmet Pasha, Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. Originally consisting of 48 shops, the bedesten served as one of the central hubs of Niğde’s commercial life. Over time, the building was used for various purposes and has now been repurposed as a city museum.

Restoration and Project Process

The restoration process of the bedesten was initiated following the approval of the Kayseri Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage on 15 February 2022. The building was allocated to the Niğde Municipality for a period of ten years by the Directorate of Foundations. The restoration project was approved on 22 June 2022, and the exhibition and layout plan was approved on 27 July 2022. Handover of the site took place on 21 December 2022, after which the implementation phase commenced. All works were carried out with the primary objective of preserving the building’s original architectural features.

Architectural Features

The Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Bedesten exhibits a distinctive architectural style characteristic of Ottoman commercial structures. The building has largely retained its original character to the present day, representing the bedesten typology of its era through its use of stone, enclosed spatial arrangement, and rows of shops. During the restoration, measures were taken to preserve the existing architectural fabric of the structure.

Museum Content and Exhibition

The Bedesten City Museum features various exhibition areas reflecting Niğde’s history, culture, and social life. The museum displays wax statues of prominent historical figures from Niğde, scale models of historic and tourist structures unique to the city, regional costumes, objects representing traditional professions, and artifacts illustrating daily life. The exhibition layout follows a chronological and thematic approach.

Education, Events, and Workshop Activities

Within the museum, experiential workshops have been planned and implemented, particularly for children, to introduce past occupational groups and bring historical life to life. Through these workshops, visitors are offered interactive learning opportunities with history and culture. Additionally, the museum aims to contribute to Niğde’s cultural life through various exhibitions and events.

Research and Donations

During the development of the museum’s collection, the Niğde Municipality collaborated with Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University. Research conducted across the province identified artifacts with historical and cultural significance. Objects donated by citizens from districts and villages were incorporated into the museum’s inventory in accordance with relevant legal procedures.