İş Bank Economical Independence Museum

Did Turkey’s first national bank also have a hand in its economic independence? Right here, before the İş Bank Economical Independence Museum, that question comes alive. The museum, also known as Türkiye İş Bankası İktisadi Bağımsızlık Müzesi, resides in the former headquarters of Türkiye İş Bankası, or İşbank. This impressive five-story building, designed by Giulio Mongeri, was built in 1929. The location, Ulus Square, holds significance, facing the Victory Monument. It’s part of Ankara’s cultural heart, alongside museums like the Republic Museum and the War of Independence Museum. The İş Bank Economical Independence Museum opened its doors on May 2, 2019. The museum focuses on Turkish economy, telling a story through historical artifacts and exhibits. The museum creators Burçak Madran and Emre Senan, along with consultant Professor Zafer Toprak, brought this vision to life. The original safe deposit boxes are on display in the basement. The ground floor showcases the bank tellers’ offices, taking you back in time. A bookstore near the main gate invites you to delve deeper. The first floor holds history. You can see the historical meeting rooms. One of these rooms even hosted Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey, during his visit to the bank. The second floor exhibits various documents and early banking commercials. The third floor houses art exhibitions. The fourth floor, the permanent exhibition, tells the story of the Turkish War of Independence. The fifth floor is reserved for future activities. The museum’s collection paints a picture of early banking and daily life at the bank. Items like cash registers, typewriters, calculators, piggy banks, promotional materials, checks, and receipts offer a glimpse into the past. This museum is a testament to Turkey’s journey towards economic independence and the role İşbank played in its development.