Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum

The Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum opened in 2002. It is located in the Umurbey neighborhood of Bursa. The museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore car models from different eras and learn about their production processes. Additionally, the production equipment belonging to Tofaş and other vehicles in the museum form the core of its main collection.

Entrance to the Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Museum Structure and Historical Areas

The Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum is situated on a 17-dönüm site and houses several historical structures within its grounds. These include the "Old Silk Factory" from the 1850s, the "Mancınıkhane" inherited from the French, the "Kozaklık" from the 19th century, and the "Umurbey Hamam" from the 15th century. These structures contribute to the historical fabric of the museum grounds and have been restored by Tofaş. Notably, after the restoration of the Umurbey Hamam was completed in 2008, it is now used as the "Tofaş Art Gallery".

Collections

The Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum possesses a detailed collection showcasing the historical car culture of Anatolia. The museum displays vehicles related to the evolution of car culture in Anatolia from the past to the present. This collection includes various types of vehicles designed according to the needs of different regions, based on Anatolia’s geography and production techniques. For example, traditional vehicles such as horse-drawn carriages, phaetons, and ox-carts are exhibited. Additionally, agricultural transport vehicles and wooden wheels are also part of this collection.

Development of the Automotive Industry and Tofaş’s Role

The museum also highlights the development of Turkey’s automotive industry. The vehicles produced by Tofaş have played a significant role in the historical evolution of Turkey’s automotive sector. The Murat 124, produced in 1971, is considered one of Turkey’s first domestically manufactured automobiles. Furthermore, the Murat 131, produced in 1977, is among the first automobiles manufactured in Turkey. These vehicles symbolize Tofaş’s contributions to Turkey’s automotive industry. In addition, modern Tofaş models such as the Fiat Tempra and Fiat Doblo are also displayed in the museum. The museum also features a 4x4 Fiat Doblo produced by Tofaş in 2002 specifically for the Dakar Rally, symbolizing Tofaş’s international achievements.

Traditional Vehicle Workshops

Nalbant Workshop

Dating back to the late 19th century, this traditional nalbant workshop from the Bursa region displays the process of fitting horseshoes. A horseshoe is an iron piece attached to a horse’s hoof to support movement and balance pressure, and the nalbant is the master craftsman who makes these shoes.

Nalbant Workshop (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Semerci Workshop

In the traditional semerci workshop, semers—equipment placed on the backs of animals such as horses, donkeys, or oxen—are manufactured. A semer is a platform used to carry loads or for riding. The term semerci refers to the person who makes and sells these items.

Semerci Workshop (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Horse-Drawn Carriage and Phaeton Workshop

This workshop, built by local craftsmen in accordance with the architectural features of its time, is constructed with a wooden frame, brick infill, mud-straw plaster, and traditional Turkish tiles. It displays the tools and equipment used for traditional phaeton production. The tools inside this workshop were sourced from the workshop of the renowned carriage maker Mustafa Babik.

Yarım Esebey Horse-Drawn Carriage (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Saraçevi Workshop

Saraçlık is a craft involving the production and sale of horse harnesses, bridles, animal decorations, and similar items. The traditional saraçevi workshop is where masters who produce and sell such items work. The saraçevi at the museum presents Bursa’s traditional craftsmanship and the labor of local artisans to visitors.

Saraçevi Workshop (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Motor Vehicles

The museum displays 12 motor vehicles produced by Tofaş Türk Otomobil Fabrikası during different periods. These vehicles reflect key milestones in Tofaş’s automotive history and the development of automobile manufacturing in Turkey. The exhibited vehicles include:

First Murat 124 Produced by Tofaş (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

First Murat 131 Produced by Tofaş (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

1983 Model Murat 131 Kartal (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

1994 Model Fiat Tempra (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

2004 Model Fiat Palio Go, the Two Millionth Vehicle (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Fiat Palio Competing in National and International Rally Championships (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Fiat Egea (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Art Gallery and Temporary Exhibitions

In addition to its automobile collection, the Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum hosts various art-related activities. The Umurbey Hamam, whose restoration was completed in 2008, began operating as the "Tofaş Art Gallery" and has since hosted numerous temporary exhibitions.

Education and Activities

The Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum is not only an exhibition space but also contributes to society through educational initiatives. Traffic education and various workshops for children form an essential part of the museum’s educational mission. The traffic education program for children provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Children learn traffic rules and receive education in an enjoyable manner through hands-on training using Fiat 500 vehicles. Additionally, the museum organizes activities such as yoga and games for adults.

Temporary Exhibitions

Below are some notable exhibitions previously held at the museum:

Here Is My Zeki Müren Exhibition (11 November 2015 – 19 February 2016)

The "Here Is My Zeki Müren" exhibition, organized in collaboration between Yapı Kredi Private Banking and Yapı Kredi Kültür Sanat Yayıncılık, displayed tens of thousands of photographs, costumes, poems, notes, and personal belongings of Zeki Müren sourced from the archives of the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) and the Turkish Armed Forces Mehmetçik Foundation. This exhibition, celebrating Zeki Müren’s art and life, attracted more than 20,000 visitors.

Here Is My Zeki Müren Exhibition (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Time Machines: Clock Exhibition (May 2013 – March 2015)

This exhibition, featuring over 1,800 clock models from 100 years ago selected from the collection of Y. Mimar Naim Arnas, also displayed the tools and equipment used by clockmakers. It welcomed a total of 56,670 visitors.

Time Machines: Clock Exhibition (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Toys Exhibition (May 2011 – October 2012)

Curated by Y.Mimar Naim Arnas and featuring pieces from the private collection of Rahmi M. Koç, the "Toys Exhibition" traced the evolution of toys from the past to the present and attracted 114,000 visitors.

Tofaş and Vehbi Koç on the Occasion of Tofaş’s 40th Anniversary Exhibition (25 July 2008)

This special exhibition commemorating Tofaş’s 40th anniversary focused on the founding of Turkey’s first automotive factory by Vehbi Koç, the founder of Koç Holding, in Bursa in 1968, as well as Tofaş’s development process. Important documents and photographs from the Tofaş and Vehbi Koç archives were displayed.

Tofaş and Vehbi Koç on the Occasion of Tofaş’s 40th Anniversary Exhibition (

Ceramic Biennial Exhibition (2022)

The "International Ceramic Biennial," organized by the Turkish Ceramic Society, brought together Hacettepe University’s "Macsabal Sculptures Collection" with the museum, hosting a significant ceramic collection.

Ceramic Biennial Exhibition (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

Natural Area and Garden

The Tofaş Anatolian Cars Museum offers an experience within a natural environment. Within the museum grounds are ancient trees, including a 375-year-old giant plane tree and a 200-year-old black mulberry tree. These trees provide visitors with spaces for rest.

Museum Garden (Tofaş Bursa Anadolu Cars Museum)

The Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum is a museum that showcases Anatolia’s car culture, the development of Turkey’s automotive industry, and its cultural heritage. In addition to its automobile collection, the museum houses historical structures and an art gallery. It offers visitors the opportunity to observe the transition between traditional Anatolian vehicles and modern Tofaş models, as well as the evolution of industry. With these features, the Tofaş Bursa Anatolian Cars Museum provides both a cultural and an educational experience.