The Uluumay Ottoman Folk Costumes and Jewelry Museum is a private museum located in Bursa’s Muradiye district, inside the Şair Ahmed Pasha Madrasa, which dates back to the 15th century. It was opened to visitors on September 18, 2004. The museum’s collections were gathered over 45 years by folklorist and collector Esat Uluumay.

The museum houses 18 different collections. Its core holdings consist of 70 costumes from Ottoman Anatolia and Rumelia, dating back as far as the 15th century, and 400 pieces of jewelry. In addition, items related to Turkish coffee culture, bath traditions, horsemanship, as well as various weapons, knives, swords, and beads are exhibited.

^{Sections of the Museum (Kültür Portalı)}

Şair Ahmed Pasha Madrasa

The building that hosts the museum was commissioned by Ahmed Pasha, son of Veliyüddin, a poet of the Fatih Sultan Mehmed period. It is also known among the people as the Geyikli Madrasa. Built in the 15th century, the madrasa has served various purposes throughout history. After its restoration in 1967, it functioned for a time as the Muradiye Public Education Center.

Constructed with a combination of cut stone and brick, the structure has a rectangular plan. The entrance section is 7.56 meters wide. Opposite the entrance lies a classroom covered by a single dome, while arcades stand on both sides of the rectangular courtyard, and behind them are eleven cells and an iwan. The arcades are taller than the cells. Each vaulted cell opens to the courtyard with a door, and contains a fireplace and several niches, with a small window providing light.

^{Şair Ahmed Pasha Madrasa (Uluumay Foundation)}

Administration and Activities

The museum is managed by Feyza Uluumay Gökalp, daughter of Esat Uluumay. A museologist, she also serves as the Chairwoman of the Uluumay Foundation. She organizes exhibitions and events to preserve her father’s legacy and to bring the museum’s collections to wider audiences.

On October 29, 2024, in celebration of the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, the museum hosted the exhibition “Republic Hats”, organized with the support of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. Furthermore, the museum’s Ottoman folk costume collection has been noted as the most comprehensive of its kind since the “Elbise-i Osmaniye” exhibition, which was presented by Osman Hamdi Bey at the 1872 Vienna Fair.

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Significance

The Uluumay Ottoman Folk Costumes and Jewelry Museum is regarded as one of Türkiye's significant cultural institutions for preserving and transmitting Ottoman cultural heritage to future generations. It stands out both for its authentic collections and for its location within a historic building that complements the fabric of Bursa.