Turkey İş Bank Museum — Attraction in Fatih

During my recent holiday, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Istanbul, Turkey. Steeped in history, culture, and architectural marvels, Istanbul is a melting pot of East and West, offering a captivating blend of old-world charm and modernity.

My exploration began with a visit to the iconic Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church turned mosque turned museum, showcasing stunning mosaics and a majestic dome that seems to touch the heavens. Next, I ventured into the bustling Grand Bazaar, a labyrinthine maze of narrow alleys brimming with vibrant stalls selling everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and ceramics. The sensory overload of colors, scents, and sounds was truly exhilarating.

One of the highlights of my trip was a visit to the Turkey Bank Museum, housed in the magnificent Ottoman-era Imperial Mint building. As I stepped through the doors, I was transported back in time to the fascinating world of banking and finance in Turkey. The museum's exhibits provided a comprehensive overview of the country's monetary history, from ancient coins to modern banking systems.

I marveled at the collection of rare coins, banknotes, and artifacts, each offering a glimpse into Turkey's economic evolution over the centuries. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations enhanced my understanding of key economic concepts and the role of banking in shaping Turkey's past, present, and future.

After immersing myself in the world of finance, I wandered through the charming streets of Sultanahmet, soaking in the enchanting atmosphere of this historic neighborhood. I marveled at the majestic Blue Mosque, with its intricate tilework and soaring minarets, and paused to admire the serene beauty of the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine Constantinople.

As the sun set over the Bosphorus, I found myself reflecting on the rich tapestry of experiences I had encountered during my time in Istanbul. From the awe-inspiring architecture to the vibrant street life, every moment was filled with wonder and discovery. Istanbul had captured my heart, and I knew that it was a place I would always cherish and long...

The corporate history of Isbank reflects the history of the foundation and development of our country. In the late 1990s Türkiye Is Bankasi initiated the project of recording this history to pass it on to future generations. The Isbank Museum that was inaugurated on November 14, 2007 as a part of this project.

In the preparatory stage of the museum, documents, photos, films and objects that had been accumulated in the archives of the bank across Turkey since 1924 were collected, restored and taken under protection. The Yenicami Branch of the bank housed in a historical building was chosen to safeguard this rich archive.

The building that housed this branch, which was inaugurated as the Post Office of İstanbul on September 23, 1892, began to serve as a branch of the bank under the name Istanbul Branch as from February 20, 1928. In the 1950s the branch was renamed into Yenicami Branch, which served the clientele under this name until 2004. After a process of renovation the building now contributes to the cultural life of Istanbul as a museum.

The first and basement floors of the three-storied museum building house the permanent exhibition. The exhibition in the first floor consists of materials all specific to Isbank selected from the rich archive of the bank such as documents and photos reflecting the social and economic life, devices used in banking operations in diverse periods including typewriters and calculators, money-boxes, promotional materials, advertisement films etc. The fixed furnishings used in the bank branch such as the historical bank counters, and the rooms that house the main vault and safe-deposit boxes are open to the public in the ground floor and basement. The provisional exhibitions are held in the ground floor...

Turkey İş Bank (Türkiye İş Bankası) is one of the oldest and biggest banks of Turkey. It was established on 26 August 1924 by decree of Atatürk. His idea was to have a bank established with Turkish capital. The building housing the museum used to be one of the biggest branches of the bank (Yenicami branch) opposite the New Mosque (Yeni Cami). My father used to be a manager at this branch, his room located at the first floor. The museum is divided into three sections, the ground floor where the beautiful wooden and brass teller windows can be seen, the first floor where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 's Private office is located and the ground floor where the vault is. Never leave the museum before visiting the vault. It is divided into two parts : private lockers and the bank's main vault. The big steel door with its heavy circular locks are very interesting. The district Yenicami was and is still a very active business area, so imagine the amount of money stored inside this vault at those times. November 2021: There is a new exhibition whose theme is Independence. Every military personnel who fought for the independence of Turkey was given a commemorative madaillon. The museum asked these families whether they would loan their madaillons for this event. Many did. Now these madaillons are displayed alongside their certificates. This is an important and...