The Museum of Innocence

The Museum of Innocence was designed and established basing on a novel with a similar title by Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish Nobel laureate. The book set in Istanbul between 1975 and 1984 was published in August of 2008 while the museum was opened in the spring of 2012. The narrative is a love story between a wealthy businessman and a poor distant relative. The museum designed by author Orhan Pamuk takes its visitors chapter by chapter through the story of “The Museum of Innocence”. This is done using exhibited objects that are essential in the story like cigarette butts, salt shakers, paintings and maps that offer a view of old Istanbul in the seventies. One does not have to read the book to enjoy the exhibits, just like you don’t have to visit the museum to enjoy the book. However, it is recommended to visit the museum if one has read the book as it proffers a vivid picture of the story. For those who have not had time to read the book yet, it is advisable for one to use the audio services. Housed in a 19th Century three storey building in the Çukurcuma neighbourhood of the Beyoğlu district, the museum boosts a collection of more than a thousand pieces. On 17 May 2014, the museum was announced as the Winner of the 2014 European Museum of the Year Award. You can visit the museum for free using the book.