The Şahinbey National Struggle Museum is dedicated to presenting Gaziantep’s resistance during the Turkish War of Independence and the efforts of its citizens. The museum was established to convey in detail the struggle against French and British occupations between 1919 and 1921. The historical building, restored by Şahinbey Municipality, was opened to the public in 2018.

^{Şahinbey National Struggle Museum (AA)}

Establishment and Purpose of the Museum

The museum was founded to ensure that Gaziantep’s resistance against occupying forces is not forgotten and is transmitted to future generations. The historical building comprises 12 rooms and an 1100-square-meter underground cave area, all designed according to contemporary museum standards. The museum also emphasizes the importance of the resistance that earned Gaziantep the title of “Gazi” through exhibition areas, interactive presentations, and reenactments.

Exhibitions and Reenactments

The museum’s visitor route is organized to present Gaziantep’s defense chronologically. In the first section, visitors encounter historical artifacts and photographs documenting the local population’s resistance against French and British occupation. The 12 rooms of the museum display weapons, wartime materials, and symbolic busts representing the period of resistance.

^{Şahinbey National Struggle Museum (AA)}

A notable section is the underground cave area, where everyday life scenes of the era are reenacted with mechatronic figures and multi-dimensional projection displays. Visitors experience the historical environment with sound effects, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the War of Independence. Scenes simulate Gaziantep’s defense and daily life during the period.

^{Inside the Museum (GAZİANTEP PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE OF CULTURE AND TOURISM)}

Gaziantep Defense and the Role of Şahinbey

Gaziantep was besieged by French forces on April 1, 1920, and the city was officially handed over on February 9, 1921, under a protocol with the French. However, the local population—men, women, young, and old—resisted intensely for 11 months and 8 days. A total of 6,317 martyrs lost their lives during the defense. Gaziantep’s resistance became a notable example nationwide, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk highlighted the city’s citizens as exemplary in their resistance. The museum houses a series of exhibits commemorating this resistance and honoring the martyrs. It also highlights Şahinbey’s role as a local leader in the defense, recognized as a hero who fell while protecting the flag.

^{Inside the Museum (GAZİANTEP PROVINCIAL DIRECTORATE OF CULTURE AND TOURISM)}

Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Scene

The museum also commemorates Martyr Non-Commissioned Officer Ömer Halisdemir, who was killed during the July 15 coup attempt. Halisdemir’s act of shooting the coup general Semih Terzi in the forehead is reenacted in the museum, presenting a contemporary historical event in a museum context.

^{Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Stage (AA)}

Educational and Cultural Activities

Beyond a historical exhibition, the museum hosts educational and cultural activities. Seminars, exhibitions, and events allow visitors to explore the National Struggle in detail. Interactive screens and guides present historical information in an engaging manner.

Visitor Information

The museum is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, especially busy on weekends. Visitors from Gaziantep and across Türkiye come to learn about the city’s liberation struggle and to honor the martyrs. The Şahinbey National Struggle Museum plays a significant role in preserving the memory of Gaziantep’s resistance during the War of Independence and transmitting it to new generations. It delivers content supported by audiovisual elements, offering a monumental narrative of the city’s heroic defense.