Gaziantep War Museum, Military museum in Şahinbey, Turkey
The Gaziantep War Museum is housed in a former Ottoman-era building in southeastern Turkey and displays military artifacts, weapons, and uniforms across twelve exhibition rooms. Underground spaces contain additional exhibits that complement the above-ground collections.
The building dates from the Ottoman period and served as a location during the Siege of Antep from 1920 to 1921, when residents fought against French troops. This resistance shaped the city's history and led to the title 'Gazi', meaning war hero, being granted to the city.
The museum shows how Gaziantep's residents experienced their resistance during the War of Independence through personal objects and accounts from that period. The displays reveal the everyday struggle of locals and their roles in the conflict.
Visitors can explore both the above-ground displays and underground rooms that provide a complete overview of military history. The spaces are clearly marked and allow unobstructed access to all areas of the museum.
The museum preserves a lesser-known story: during the siege, children gathered spent ammunition for recycling while adults transformed household items like frying pans into makeshift weapons. These stories reveal the creativity and resourcefulness of residents under extreme conditions.
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