The Museum of Innocence is a unique museum located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, established by Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk, inspired by his novel of the same name. Opened in 2012, the museum exhibits objects that represent the obsessive love of the novel’s main character, Kemal, for the woman he loves, Füsun. Consisting of 83 display cases corresponding to the 83 chapters of the novel, the museum presents the themes of love, time, memory, and everyday life through objects and stories.
The objects exhibited in the museum contain personal and cultural elements documenting daily life in Istanbul during the 1970s and 1980s. These items, collected by Pamuk over many years, range from cigarette butts to jewelry, family photographs to old televisions. The Museum of Innocence not only tells a love story but also sheds light on the sociological atmosphere of the era. In this way, it is one of the first examples in the world to combine literature and museology.
Did Orhan Pamuk write the novel first or establish the museum first?
Orhan Pamuk designed the novel The Museum of Innocence and the museum simultaneously. Starting from the 1990s, while writing the novel, he also began collecting objects he intended to exhibit in the museum. In other words, the idea of the novel and the museum developed together; Pamuk explained this process in detail both in his novel and in his work The Innocence of Objects, which serves as the museum’s catalog.
Are the objects exhibited in the Museum of Innocence real?
Yes, the objects exhibited in the Museum of Innocence are real. Starting from the 1990s, while writing the novel, Orhan Pamuk also began collecting items he intended to display in the museum. These objects were sourced from junk dealers and the homes of acquaintances. The items on display represent the objects used, worn, seen, and imagined by the characters in the novel. For example, 4,213 cigarette butts smoked by Füsun are exhibited, each accompanied by a date and note. These objects are real items that reflect the emotional depth of the novel and the life in Istanbul during that era.
Where is the museum located?
The Museum of Innocence is located in the Çukurcuma neighborhood of the Beyoğlu district in Istanbul. The full address of the museum is: Çukurcuma Caddesi, Dalgıç Çıkmazı No: 2, 34425 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey.
The museum is within walking distance between İstiklal Avenue and Tophane, and close to Taksim Square. After getting off at the Tophane tram stop, it takes about an 8-minute walk to reach the museum.
How much is the museum entrance fee?
As of 2025, the current entrance fees for the Museum of Innocence are as follows:
- Full ticket: 250 TL
- Discounted ticket: 125 TL (for students and visitors over the age of 65)
- Audio guide service: 20 TL
In addition, the ticket printed in the final chapter of Orhan Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence can be stamped at the ticket desk when presented with the museum invitation.
The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. It is closed on Mondays, as well as on January 1st, and the first days of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.
How long does it take to visit the museum?
The duration of a visit to the Museum of Innocence may vary depending on the visitor’s interest and how much time they wish to spend on the details. In general, it is possible to tour the museum in about 1.5 to 2 hours. However, for those who want to examine each display case carefully and enjoy a detailed experience with the audio guide, this duration may extend up to 2.5 hours. The audio guide, narrated by Orhan Pamuk himself, offers visitors a deeper perspective and enriches the museum experience. Therefore, it is recommended that those who wish to fully explore the museum allocate at least 2 hours for their visit.
Is there an audio guide available at the museum?
It provides visitors with deeper insight into the works and stories within the museum.
The audio guide is available in Turkish and English. The Turkish version features narrations by Orhan Pamuk himself, while the English version is voiced by musician Richard Hamer and British Council Regional Arts Director Gregory Nash. The guide offers detailed information about each of the 83 display cases in the museum and helps visitors better feel the atmosphere of the museum.
The audio guide service is offered at a fee of 20 TL per person. It is recommended for visitors who wish to enrich their museum experience.
In addition, audio-guided tours are organized for groups of more than 10 people. For such group visits, reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Reservations can be made by sending an email to info@masumiyetmuzesi.org.
The audio guide is a valuable resource for visitors who wish to explore the museum in a more meaningful and impactful way.
How many display cases are there in the museum?
There are a total of 83 display cases in the Museum of Innocence. Each of these cases corresponds to a chapter of Orhan Pamuk’s novel of the same name, and the museum is composed of 83 cases representing the 83 chapters of the book. Each case is filled with objects that reflect the events and emotions described in the corresponding chapter. This arrangement offers visitors the opportunity to experience the novel’s narrative through physical objects.
What is the most striking exhibit in the museum?
The most striking exhibit in the Museum of Innocence is the collection of 4,213 cigarette butts smoked by the novel’s heroine, Füsun. These cigarette butts are displayed on a large wall on the museum’s ground floor, each accompanied by the date it was smoked and notes reflecting Kemal’s emotions at that moment. This arrangement forms one of the most powerful sections of the museum as a tangible expression of Kemal’s obsessive love for Füsun.
The collection not only traces the remnants of a love story but also reflects the small yet meaningful details of everyday life in Istanbul during the 1970s and 1980s. The neatly arranged cigarette butts in glass cases allow visitors to closely observe this special bond. This collection, which provokes thought both about love and the workings of human memory, is one of the most impressive parts of the museum.
Is there a book sale at the museum?
Yes, books are sold at the Museum of Innocence. The museum shop offers Orhan Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence in particular, along with his other works and publications related to the museum. Additionally, a variety of souvenirs that enhance the museum experience are also available for purchase.
The museum shop provides visitors with a literary and cultural shopping experience, offering the chance to acquire memorable items after the visit.
What awards has the museum won?
Since its opening in 2012, the Museum of Innocence has received significant awards both in Turkey and internationally. These awards recognize the museum’s innovative approach that merges literature and museology, as well as its contribution to cultural heritage.
🏆 Awards Received
European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) – 2014
As part of the European Museum Forum (EMYA) organized by the Council of Europe, the Museum of Innocence was awarded the “European Museum of the Year” in 2014. The award ceremony was held in Tallinn, Estonia, and Orhan Pamuk dedicated the award to the miners who lost their lives in the Soma mining disaster.
Mary Lynn Kotz Award – 2013
Orhan Pamuk’s book The Innocence of Objects, prepared as the catalog for the Museum of Innocence, won the Mary Lynn Kotz Award in 2013 in the United States. This award is given to the most literary and impactful works written about visual arts or artists.
Financial Times List of the World’s 60 Best House Museums – 2024
In 2024, the British newspaper Financial Times included the Museum of Innocence among the world’s 60 best house museums. The list also featured notable places such as Gaudí’s Casa Vicens and Oscar Wilde’s home.
These awards show that the Museum of Innocence is not only a physical reflection of a literary work, but also an innovative and inspiring model in the field of museology.