PTT Stamp Museum

PTT Stamp Museum opened in 2013 following the renovation of the building formerly housing the National Property and Orphans Bank in the Ulus district of Ankara, Türkiye. The museum operates within a 6,500-square-metre indoor space restored by the Turkish Postal and Telegraph Organization Corporation (PTT AŞ).

PTT Stamp Museum (Anadolu Agency)

History and Architectural Transformation

During its conversion into a museum the building was transformed into both a cultural and functional center. The renovated structure includes multi-purpose areas exhibition halls a cinema theater workshops a café and retail spaces alongside materials reflecting the history of postal and communication services.

Exhibited Collections

Approximately 8,000 stamps issued between 1863 and the present are displayed chronologically in the museum. In addition the museum archive holds 870,000 stamps and 70,000 philatelic envelopes. Visitors have the opportunity to examine nearly 10,000 stamps on display. The stamp collections are categorized thematically according to subjects such as Atatürk nature sports transportation tourism cultural heritage and history alongside artifacts from the Ottoman and Republican periods.

PTT Stamp Museum (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Thematic Sections

On the ground floor approximately 100 objects reflecting PTT’s 178-year history are exhibited. These include delivery bags seals telephones telegraph machines weapons and scales. Eight uniforms worn by postal delivery personnel across different historical periods are displayed on mannequins in chronological order. In the main exhibition area a 3D cinema theater presents films detailing the history of communication.

Philately and Digital Interaction Areas

Stamps in the Philately and Exhibition Hall are presented interactively on a touch screen table themed “100 Years.” This section features examples of stamps issued worldwide in connection with major events from 1900 to the present a philatelic dictionary and definitions of related terms. Additionally the history production and color samples of a stamp issued to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul are exhibited.

Children’s Club and Educational Activities

The Children’s Club located in the basement of the museum offers entertaining and educational content about philately. Children watch short animated films to learn about stamp collecting and have the opportunity to design their own stamps. On the same floor a multipurpose hall accommodating 80 people is used for meetings and conferences.

International Philatelic Collection

The museum displays examples of stamps from 189 countries that are members of the Universal Postal Union. Stamps from Türkiye Italy Brazil the United States of America Egypt the United Kingdom France China Russia Australia India and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are presented in thematic exhibitions alongside scale models representing each country’s distinctive symbols. A total of 32 touch screens provide digital access to scanned images of all stamps in the collection.

Services and Visit Information

The PTT Stamp Museum is open free of charge daily from 09.00 to 17.00 except on religious and national holidays. Visitors can purchase first-day covers and other philatelic products and avail themselves of personalized stamp printing services. The museum’s cafeteria offers visitors a space for rest and meals.

Visitor Profile and Participation Data

As of 2024 the PTT Stamp Museum welcomed over 100,000 visitors an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. The museum provides practical and visual information about the history of communication and philately to visitors of all ages with a particular focus on student groups.