Florence Nightingale Museum, Istanbul, Medical history museum at Selimiye Army Barracks in Uskudar, Turkey
The Florence Nightingale Museum occupies a room in the northwest tower of Selimiye Barracks and displays medical instruments along with personal belongings from the 1850s. The space shows what medical care looked like during that era and the tools that were part of daily work at this facility.
The barracks were transformed by Nightingale and nurses during the Crimean War in 1854, and death rates dropped significantly through better hygiene practices. These changes became the foundation for modern hospital standards in medical practice.
The room displays personal items that document Nightingale's connection to the Ottoman leadership, including a bracelet and honors from Sultan Abdulmecid. These objects tell the story of medical cooperation between Britain and the Ottoman Empire during a time of great need.
Access requires permission obtained 48 hours in advance through fax or email, as the museum is located within an active military facility. Visitors should plan ahead and submit their request well in time.
The original desk where Nightingale worked still stands in the museum, offering a direct connection to her working life. Alongside it are letters showing how she communicated with members of British Parliament to push for changes in medicine.
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