Bornova: Arkas Maritime History Center

From Pagy Köşkü, we retraced our steps back down the street to another mansion dating back to the 1800s. Our destination was the Arkas Maritime History Center … which, the sign at the door promoted as the place where “… witnesses to centuries of maritime heritage are brought to life …”. An apt description.

The museum was founded by Lucien Arkas, whose family’s Levantine roots in İzmir go very deep. Having visited several other museums founded by the family, I knew we were more than likely in for a treat. We were not disappointed.

The founder’s message tells how years ago Lucien Arkas was so impressed by a ship’s model of HMS Victory (by Engin Alsan) that he ordered his first ship model. That started him on his quest for all things maritime … a collection over 30 years in the making. The items on display cover a period from 1000 B.C. to the present day, comprising wide and varied models of legendary ships, nautical objects, and canvases by Turkish and international painters.

Once again, the glare from the glass display cases caused me to minimize my shutter clicks, but it was an otherwise wonderful museum to visit. Highly recommended … especially to aficionados of maritime history. Czytaj więcej