Yarhisar Ship Museum

Yarhisar Museum Ship is Türkiye’s first and only surface warship permanently placed on land as a museum. Built in 1964 at the Portland-Dragon shipyard in the United States for the Turkish Naval Forces, the vessel derives its name from the Ottoman Navy destroyer “Yarhisar,” which was sunk by British forces in the Sea of Marmara on 3 December 1915 during World War I. The ship, which flew the Turkish flag from 1965, served for 40 years as a patrol and reconnaissance vessel. It participated in the Aegean phase of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and was awarded the title of “gazi.” After being decommissioned in 2005, the ship was transformed into a museum through a collaboration between Gölcük Municipality, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, and the Naval Command, and opened to the public on 27 October 2006.

^{Yarhisar Museum Ship} (Gölcük Municipality)

Yarhisar was constructed in 1964 at the Portland-Dragon shipyard in the United States and commissioned into the Turkish Naval Forces inventory in 1965. For 40 years, the vessel performed patrol and reconnaissance duties and took part in the Aegean phase of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. After being decommissioned in 2005, it was converted into a museum ship through joint efforts by Gölcük Municipality, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, and the Naval Command. The ship was transported in three sections from the Gölcük Shipyard, reassembled on Kavaklı shore, and opened to the public on 27 October 2006.

The Yarhisar Museum Ship is displayed largely in its original configuration. Areas such as the bridge, steering compartment, galley, berthing quarters, lounges, and armories have been preserved in their historical state for visitors. The ship also houses weapons, radar systems, compasses, radio rooms, and other equipment, all brought to life with mannequins dressed in both uniform and civilian attire.

The Yarhisar Museum Ship is presented to visitors with its original structure largely intact. Spaces such as the steering compartment, bridge, armories, galley, lounges, and berthing quarters have been arranged to reflect the period when the ship was in active service. Daily life of the era is recreated using mannequins in uniform and everyday clothing, while images, photographs, objects, and devices related to Ottoman and Turkish naval history are exhibited.

The Yarhisar Museum Ship offers students and young people a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into maritime culture and the historical development of the Turkish Navy. For residents of Gölcük, a naval city, it provides direct observation and experiential access to shipboard life that was previously visible only within military zones. The museum is open to the public free of charge five days a week and can be toured with guided visits.

Its location on Kavaklı shore has made the Yarhisar Museum Ship one of Gölcük’s most visited tourist attractions. Serving as a cultural and educational hub for both local and international visitors, the museum makes significant contributions to maritime-themed coastal tourism.