
Best Museums & Art Galleries in Samsun, Turkey
1. Samsun Museum
Houses artifacts and works from the city's history and archaeology, including a Roman-era mosaic.
- Historical Artifacts: Displays over 3,000 artifacts from different time periods.
- Roman Mosaic: Features an intricate Roman-era mosaic of Dionysus and Maenads.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing local artists and cultural events.
2. Samsun State Art Gallery
Showcases contemporary Turkish art, with a focus on works from the Black Sea region.
- Contemporary Art: Features modern and contemporary artwork by Turkish artists.
- Black Sea Region Focus: Emphasizes works created by artists from the Black Sea region.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Hosts temporary exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists.
3. Karabölen Museum
Dedicated to the life and work of the famous Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.
- Nazim Hikmet Collection: Contains a vast collection of personal items, manuscripts, and art related to the poet.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly hosts exhibitions exploring the life and work of other famous poets and writers.
- Workshops and Events: Offers workshops, readings, and events focused on poetry and literature.
4. Cumhuriyet Street Art Gallery
Showcases a collection of works by local artists, with a focus on street art.
- Street Art Collection: Features a variety of street artworks created by local and international artists.
- Street Art Workshops: Offers workshops teaching the techniques of creating street art.
- Community Engagement: Promotes community engagement and artistic expression through public murals and events.
5. Samsun Archeology Museum
Displays artifacts from the ancient city of Amisus, including coins, pottery, and sculptures.
- Ancient City Artifacts: Contains a large collection of artifacts from the ancient city of Amisus.
- Roman Mosaics: Features several well-preserved Roman mosaics, including one depicting Dionysus and Maenads.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs for schools and groups to learn about the history of Amisus.
6. Atatürk's House Museum
Preserves the home where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, lived during his time in Samsun.
- Historical Significance: Offers a unique glimpse into the life and times of Atatürk.
- Memorial Park: Surrounded by a beautiful memorial park, perfect for a peaceful walk.
- Guided Tours: Provides guided tours in multiple languages, offering an informative experience.
7. Black Sea Glass Museum
Dedicated to the beautiful and colorful glass artifacts found along the Black Sea coast.
- Black Sea Glass Collection: Features a stunning collection of colorful Black Sea glass.
- Exhibitions and Workshops: Hosts exhibitions and workshops showcasing the art of glassblowing and glassmaking.
- Gift Shop: Offers unique, handmade glass items for purchase in the gift shop.
8. Samsun Art and Sculpture Park
An outdoor park featuring contemporary sculptures by Turkish artists, nestled among beautiful greenery.
- Contemporary Sculptures: Features a changing collection of contemporary sculptures.
- Nature and Art Combination: Enjoy the beauty of nature while appreciating art in this open-air setting.
- Events and Workshops: Hosts events, workshops, and exhibitions throughout the year.
9. Korkut Art Gallery
A private gallery showcasing modern and contemporary Turkish art.
- Private Collection: Features a collection of modern and contemporary art, curated by the owner.
- Changing Exhibitions: Regularly changes exhibitions to showcase different artists and styles.
- Art Consultancy Services: Provides art consultancy services for private collections and interior design.
10. Samsun Maritime Museum
Dedicated to the city's maritime history and shipbuilding industry, with exhibits on traditional boats and maritime life.
- Maritime History Exhibits: Displays artifacts related to Samsun's rich maritime history.
- Traditional Boats: Features traditional wooden boats used in the local fishing industry.
- Maritime Artifacts Workshops: Offers workshops teaching about traditional boat building and maritime life.
11. Abbas Guild Hall Museum
An Ottoman-era guild hall with exhibits showcasing the history of local trade and craftsmanship.
- Ottoman Era Architecture: Features an example of well-preserved Ottoman architecture.
- Trade and Craftsmanship Exhibits: Displays artifacts related to local trade and craftsmanship from the Ottoman era.
- Restoration Workshops: Offers workshops teaching traditional restoration techniques used in the Ottoman era.
12. Samsun Ethnography Museum
Dedicated to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Samsun and the surrounding region.
- Local Cultural Heritage: Features artifacts representing the traditional lifestyle of the local people.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly changes exhibitions to showcase different aspects of Samsun's culture.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs for schools and groups, teaching about the region's history and culture.
13. Samsun Modern Art Museum
A modern art museum showcasing contemporary Turkish art and temporary exhibitions.
- Contemporary Art: Features a collection of contemporary Turkish artwork.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly changes exhibitions to showcase different artists and styles.
- Artist Residency Program: Offers artist residency programs for local and international artists.
14. Samsun City Gallery
A contemporary art gallery showcasing both local and international artists, with a focus on emerging talent.
- Contemporary Art: Features a collection of contemporary artwork by both local and international artists.
- Emerging Talent: Emphasizes showcasing emerging talent in the art world.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly changes exhibitions to showcase different artists and styles.
15. Samsun Art and Culture Center
A multidisciplinary cultural center featuring art exhibitions, music concerts, theater performances, and more.
- Multidisciplinary Programs: Offers programs in visual arts, music, theater, and other artistic disciplines.
- Community Engagement: Promotes community engagement through educational programs, workshops, and events.
- International Collaborations: Collaborates with artists and cultural organizations from around the world.