İzmir Çeşme Museum

CESME MUSEUM

Çeşme Castle, which is one of the historical and cultural assets ​​worth visiting in Çeşme, was built by the Genoese and later transformed into its present form by Architect Ahmet, son of Mehmet during the reign of Sultan Beyazıt IInd (1508). Çeşme Castle was built on an area of ​​11,000m2 and has four towers, two on the coast and two on the ridge. The Castle is rectangular in plan and has an inner citadel which consist of two main areas. The first part was probably used as a military area while the second part was used for residencial purposes. With its mosque, fountain, water tanks and enclosed areas, Çeşme Castle constitutes one of the authentic and original architectural structures of the Ottoman period. Today, the castle serves as Çeşme Archeology Museum.

Çeşme Castle opened its doors to visitors for the first time as a Museum for the display of weapons which were being brought from İstanbul Topkapı Palace Museum in 1965. The display remained active until 1984 when the weapons started to deteriorate by oxidation due to excessive moisture. The weapons were then being transferred to Izmir Archeology Museum and Ödemiş Museum.

The archaeological exhibition halls of Çeşme Castle currently displays artifacts from the excavations of the Ancient City of Erythrai (Ildırı) and Çeşme-Bağlararası Bronze Age Settlement, along with figurines, oil lamps, glass vessels, sculptures and coins from different periods. The Museum also includes a chronological display of amphorae; a vessel type which have been used for the transport and storage of grains, olive oil, wine etc. and played an important role in ancient trade.

The lower floor of the Umur Bey Tower in the castle, has a thematic arrangement focusing on the 1770 Çeşme, Ottoman-Russian Naval War. The upper floor of this tower on the other hand, is a display area for marble and stone artifacts where sculptures and stelai as well as Ottoman Period inscriptions are being exhibited. There are also cannons, cannon balls, architectural pieces and Islamic tombstones being displayed in the open spaces around the castle.