PTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara

Ankara AttractionsPTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara

PTT Pul Müzesi: Turkey’s History on Small Rectangles of Paper

In the Ulus district of Ankara, on the city’s main thoroughfare—Atatürk Boulevard—stands a stark modernist building designed by the renowned Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister. Today, it houses the PTT Stamp Museum, Turkey’s only national museum of postage stamps. Spanning five floors with a total area of 6,500 square meters, the museum houses stamps from the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey, and many countries around the world—a miniature yet comprehensive portrait of the last two centuries of world history, told through philately.

History of the Museum

The museum opened in 2013 and became the first of its kind in Turkey. The building that houses it is an architectural landmark in its own right. It was built in 1933–1934 based on a design by Clemens Holzmeister, an Austrian architect who left behind a series of iconic buildings in early Republican Ankara. Originally, the building served as the headquarters of Emlak ve Eytam Bankası; after the bank’s merger in 1946, the building was transferred to the Turkish Postal Service (PTT), and following restoration, it became a museum.

The transformation of the former bank into a stamp museum is a typical example of the adaptive reuse of historic architecture in Ankara. The spacious bank halls with high ceilings were ideal for displaying miniature exhibits that require good lighting and thoughtful arrangement.

The Collection and What to See

Ottoman stamps

The Ottoman section of the collection is one of the most valuable. It features the first issues of the Ottoman Empire, beginning in 1863, as well as series from the late 19th and early 20th centuries featuring Arabic script, portraits of sultans, and views of Istanbul. Today, these stamps are coveted items for collectors and, at the same time, valuable historical documents that capture the fashion, ideology, and graphic style of a dying empire.

Republican Section

A separate section is dedicated to stamps of the Republic of Turkey, beginning with the first issues of the 1920s. Here, one can see how state symbols, typefaces, and artistic styles evolved—from the minimalist graphics of the early republic to the multicolored thematic series of the late 20th century. Stamps featuring portraits of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, issued for anniversary dates, hold a special place.

Thematic displays

The exhibition is organized by theme: cultural heritage, transportation, sports, nature, and tourism. This approach allows visitors to trace how the Turkish state presented itself to the world through philately—which monuments, events, and natural landscapes it deemed worthy of miniature publication.

International Collection

The third major section features stamps from other countries around the world. Here you can see classic issues from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and European countries, as well as rare stamps from colonial powers. This section is particularly valuable for understanding how Turkish philately fits into the global context.

Building Architecture

Don’t miss the elements of the original bank interior: staircases, safe doors, and remnants of the trading floor’s decor. They offer a glimpse into the scale of business life in Ankara during the 1930s and the signature style of Clemens Holzmeister, whose buildings shaped the appearance of the young republic’s administrative center.

Interesting Facts

  • The museum building is the work of the same architect, Clemens Holzmeister, who designed the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Ministry of Defense, and many other key structures in the republic’s capital.
  • The first Ottoman postage stamp was issued in 1863, making the Ottoman Empire one of the earliest participants in the international postal system.
  • The Turkish postal service, PTT, dates back to 1840, making it one of the country’s oldest operating state institutions.
  • The museum is located just a few minutes’ walk from Ulus Square and the Türkiye İş Bankası Museum of Economic Independence—both sites are convenient to visit together.
  • With 6,500 square meters of exhibition space, the PTT Pul Müzesi is one of the largest philatelic museums in the region.

How to Get There

The museum is located at Atatürk Bulvarı No. 13, in the Ulus district of Ankara—in the heart of the old republican capital. The nearest metro station is Ulus (Ankaray line), a few minutes’ walk away. From Kızılay, it’s a convenient 10–15-minute ride by metro or minibus.

GPS coordinates: 39.9383° N, 32.8542° E. From Esenboğa Airport (ESB), take the HAVAŞ bus to Ulus, then walk. If you plan to combine visits, the İşbank Museum, Hacı Bayram Mosque, and Julian’s Column are all within a 500-meter radius.

Tips for travelers

Allow 1.5–2 hours for your visit: the collection is large, and examining the stamps requires patience and good lighting. It’s best to come in the afternoon, when the main crowd of local school groups has already dispersed.

It’s convenient to combine your visit with a walk through Ulus and a stop at the İşbank Museum of Economic Independence—both are just a few minutes’ walk away. If you have time, head up to Ankara Kalesi and visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Photography is usually permitted without a flash. It’s best to check prices and schedules in advance: opening hours depend on the PTT’s current program. For collectors and fans of 19th- and 20th-century graphic design, the PTT Pul Müzesi will be one of Ankara’s most unexpected and delightful discoveries.

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Frequently asked questions — PTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara Answers to frequently asked questions about PTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara. Information about the service's operation, capabilities, and use.
The PTT Stamp Museum is Turkey’s only national stamp museum. Spread across five floors with a total area of 6,500 square meters, it houses a collection of stamps from the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey, and many countries around the world. This is not a niche venue for collectors: the exhibition tells the story of two centuries of history, politics, culture, and graphic design through miniature images on paper. It is of interest to both history buffs and fans of visual art.
The museum opened in 2013. The building was constructed in 1933–1934 and originally served as the headquarters of Emlak ve Eytam Bankası. Following the bank’s merger in 1946, it was transferred to the PTT postal service. After restoration, the spacious bank halls with high ceilings were adapted for museum displays—and proved ideal for housing display cases with miniature exhibits.
Clemens Holzmeister was an Austrian architect who designed a number of key buildings in early Republican Ankara, including the Turkish Grand National Assembly building, the Ministry of Defense, and others. The austere modernist style of his buildings defined the appearance of the young republic’s administrative center. The museum building itself is an architectural landmark, and inside you can see original elements of the bank’s interior: staircases, vault doors, and traces of the trading floor’s 1930s design.
The Ottoman section is considered one of the most valuable in the museum. It houses the Ottoman Empire’s earliest stamp issues dating back to 1863—series featuring Arabic script, portraits of sultans, and views of Istanbul. These stamps capture the fashion, ideology, and graphic style of a dying empire and are today coveted items for collectors around the world. It is noteworthy that the Ottoman Empire was one of the earliest participants in the international postal system.
Yes, the third major section of the exhibition is the international collection. It features classic issues from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and European countries, as well as rare stamps from colonial powers. This section helps visitors understand how Turkish philately fits into the global context and will be of particular interest to those who did not come specifically for the Turkish theme.
Photography is generally permitted without a flash. This is standard practice for most museum exhibits featuring light-sensitive items. It is best to check the current rules at the entrance—they may vary depending on temporary exhibitions or decisions made by the PTT administration.
Yes. The exhibition is organized thematically—cultural heritage, transportation, sports, nature, tourism—and offers a glimpse into how Turkey presented itself to the world through postage stamps. Even without any knowledge of philately, it’s fascinating to see how state symbols, typefaces, and artistic styles evolved from the 1920s to the end of the 20th century. The building itself, with its bank-style interiors, adds another layer to the experience.
The best time to visit is in the afternoon on weekdays: by then, the main wave of school groups has usually left, and you can browse the shop windows in peace. In terms of seasons, spring and fall are preferable: the comfortable outdoor temperatures make a stroll through Ulus and the nearby sights much more enjoyable.
Within a few hundred meters, you’ll find the İşbank Museum (Museum of Economic Independence), the Hacı Bayram Mosque, and the Column of Julian. A little further on are Ankara Kalesi Fortress and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of the country’s finest archaeological museums. All of this makes the Ulus district a great destination for a full-day tour.
PTT traces its history back to 1840, making it one of Turkey’s oldest operating state institutions. The museum effectively serves as the official repository of the service’s history—from the first Ottoman issues to the modern thematic series of the Republic of Turkey.
User manual — PTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara PTT Pul Müzesi — the National Stamp Museum in Ankara User Guide with a description of the main functions, features, and principles of use.
The best time to travel to Ankara and visit the PTT Pul Müzesi is in the spring (April–May) or fall (September–October): the mild weather allows you to combine a visit to the museum with a stroll through historic Ulus. Plan your visit to the museum for the afternoon—school groups usually leave by then, making for a more comfortable experience.
The PTT Pul Müzesi's operating hours depend on the current PTT schedule and are subject to change. Before your visit, please check the latest schedule on the official PTT website or call the museum directly. This is especially important on holidays and during temporary exhibitions.
The museum is located at Atatürk Boulevard No. 13, Ulus District, Ankara. The nearest metro station is Ulus (Ankaray line), just a few minutes’ walk away. From the central Kızılay area, you can get there by metro or minibus in 10–15 minutes. From Esenboğa Airport (ESB), take the HAVAŞ bus to Ulus, then walk. GPS: 39.9383° N, 32.8542° E.
You should set aside 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the exhibition. The collection is extensive—spanning five floors and covering 6,500 square meters—and examining the fine details on the stamps requires time and concentration. Take your time: it is in the details that the main appeal lies.
Start with the Ottoman section—it provides historical context. Then move on to the Republican section, where you can see how the state’s visual language evolved from the 1920s to the end of the 20th century. After that, explore the thematic displays and the international collection. Take note of the original elements of the bank’s interior—the vault doors and staircases.
After visiting the museum, take a stroll to the nearby attractions: the İşbank Museum and the Hacı Bayram Mosque are just a few minutes’ walk away. If you have the time and energy, head up to Ankara Kalesi and visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations—one of the best in the country. This itinerary allows you to explore several centuries of Ankara’s history in a single day.