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As archaeological excavations intensify and the repatriation of artifacts from abroad accelerates, Türkiye is rapidly expanding its museum landscape. In 2025, the total number of museums in the country reached 676—215 under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 20 affiliated with the National Palaces, and 441 operated privately.
This year, two new state-run museums began welcoming visitors. One is the Side Arif Mufid Mansel Archaeological Museum, housed in a former Byzantine hospital within the ancient city of Side. The other is the New Manisa Museum, which recently opened its doors to the public.
Meanwhile, after undergoing restoration, the Kahramanmaras Museum, Malatya Ataturk House Museum, and the Diyarbakir Cahit Sitki Taranci Ethnography Museum have reopened. The Elbistan Museum, which also closed following the devastating Feb. 6 earthquakes, is scheduled to reopen soon.
The number of private museums has also grown significantly. From 376 in 2023, it rose to 431 last year and hit 441 in 2025. While some of these museums have earned international acclaim, others have drawn criticism.
According to museum expert and art historian Nazan Olcer, some private museums disappoint visitors with underwhelming collections, while others remain closed entirely, existing only to register private collections without public access.
“There are many well-intentioned efforts to open museums,” Olcer notes. “But some never operate, and their doors remain shut, leading to disappointment for would-be visitors. While even private museums are subject to state oversight, the growing number makes effective regulation more difficult. Still, collectors feel more secure knowing their artifacts are officially recorded.”
Olcer also emphasizes the need for a more precise legal definition of what qualifies as a museum. “The word ‘museum’ is used too loosely. State museums have archives, laboratories, and systems. We should support collectors who want to meet real museum standards, but we also need to be stricter with terminology—possibly even through legal amendments.”
In the first five months of 2025 alone, 10 new private museums opened across Türkiye:
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