Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality opens new history center and Bosphorus museum

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) has launched two new cultural institutions in Istanbul. The Republican History Research Center has opened in the restored historical İETT building at Metrohan. The center features the Zafer Toprak Archive, which contains 103,649 items from the late historian Prof. Dr. Zafer Toprak, including over 40,000 books, 49,000 periodicals, 5,000 photographs, and various documents and films. The 950-square-meter facility provides a workspace for up to 90 researchers and includes a 50-person multipurpose hall for academic meetings.

Additionally, the Istanbul Bosphorus Museum has opened at the Kabataş Transfer Center. Its inaugural exhibition, titled ‘Mehtabı Sürükledik Sularda: Bir Boğaziçi Hikâyesi’, explores life along the Bosphorus from the 19th century through the early years of the Republic. The exhibition features works by artists such as Hoca Ali Rıza and Ara Güler, alongside historical maps, engravings, and postcards. The exhibition is scheduled to run until April 11, 2027.