Located in the village of Tevfikiye in the province of Çanakkale, the Troy Museum is an archaeology museum situated at the entrance of the ancient city of Troy. Opened to visitors in 2018, the museum was constructed following the implementation of a project selected in a national architectural competition launched in 2013. Built on a 100,000-square-meter plot, the museum has an indoor area of 11,200 square meters and embraces a contemporary museology approach.
The museum building is characterized by geometric simplicity, a weathered steel exterior, and a monolithic appearance, symbolizing the historical layers of Troy. Designed to appear as if emerging from the ground, the structure invites visitors on an archaeological journey. The visitor circulation follows a spiral path from the ground floor upward to the upper levels, concluding with a descent back to the entrance via stairs.
Troy Museum ( Kültür Portalı )
Collection and Exhibition Layout
The Troy Museum houses archaeological artifacts not only from the ancient city of Troy but also from the broader Troad region. The museum's collection consists of over 2,000 artifacts dating from the prehistoric periods to the Roman and Byzantine eras. Most of these items were uncovered during excavations at Troy. Noteworthy pieces include gold jewelry, marble sculptures, glass vessels, ceramics, and grave stelae.
The exhibitions are organized under four main thematic sections:
- History of Archaeological Excavations: The excavation history of Troy is presented, highlighting the contributions of notable figures such as Heinrich Schliemann, Wilhelm Dörpfeld, Carl Blegen, and Manfred Korfmann.
- The Ancient City of Troy and Its Layers: The relationship between the Troy described in Homer’s epics and the archaeological evidence is explored.
- Settlements of the Troad Region: Artifacts from regional cities like Assos, Parion, and Smintheion provide contextual background.
- Funerary Culture and Findings: Sarcophagi, urns, and burial goods reflect beliefs and burial practices of the time.
General View of Second Floor Exhibition Artifacts ( Kültür Portalı )
Architectural Recognition and Interior Design
The Troy Museum has garnered national and international acclaim for its architectural design. The entrance floor hosts temporary exhibition halls, a gift shop, a café, and multipurpose rooms, while the upper floors are dedicated to permanent exhibitions. The museum's interior design includes digital interactive panels, animated displays, and projection-supported presentations. A modeled representation of Troy’s stratigraphy visually illustrates the city’s historical development.
Integration with the Ancient City of Troy
The Troy Museum is integrally connected with the ancient city of Troy, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the first stop for visitors to the archaeological site, the museum serves as both an orientation and information center for academic and tourist purposes alike.
The Troy Museum has become an international point of reference in the fields of archaeology and museology, playing a vital role in preserving cultural heritage through its contemporary design, rich collection, and scholarly foundation.
