The new Rahmi M. Koç Museum opened its doors to the public on 11 May in Ayvalik, a former olive oil and soap production centre on the Aegean coast, just over 150 kilometres north of Izmir and opposite the Greek island of Lesbos
by Massimo Longoni
The new Koç Museum, which like its namesakes in Istanbul, Ankara and Cunda is dedicated to the history of industry, transport and shipping, houses a collection of more than 700 objects in an old oil mill dating from the end of the 19th century, which has been admirably restored respecting the original design and materials. The tall brick chimney, wooden roof trusses, oven and original machinery are still in their original locations.
Among other things, the museum is home to 60 beautifully crafted models of ships.
Among the nautical objects on display are several working boats, and around sixty models of ships, all in excellent condition (including an extremely rare 1:70 scale model of the Destriero, a 68-metre aluminium monohull powered by three gas turbines, winner of the 1992 Nastro Azzurro), numerous outboard engines and many other objects that reflect the great passion for the sea and for vintage boats of the founder of the museums as mentioned earlier: the Turkish tycoon Rahmi M. Koç.
RAHMI M. KOÇ’S PASSION FOR THE SEA CAN BE SEEN IN EVERY DETAIL.
As boat and nautical enthusiasts know, this sprightly gentleman of almost 94 is the owner of several dozen workboats and yachts. These include the 12-metre international tonnage Lady Edith (1925), designed by William Fife III, the Royal Navy picket boat Maid of Honour (which was the tender for British America’s Cup challenger Sceptre in the 1950s), numerous Riva and Chris-Craft runabouts, three tugs – including the famous 1873 Rosalie – and the steam shuttle Gonca, all restored by RMK Marine, the magnate’s shipyard.
Ayvalik is well worth a visit due to its proximity to Izmir and Lesbos.
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Ayvalik is located on the shores of the Aegean Sea and therefore accessible from the sea as it has its quay. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays, the traditional closing day for all museums in Turkey. Another reason to visit this new “pearl” in the list of museums founded by Koç is its proximity to Lesbos, an island of great beauty that is still little visited by tourists. Ferries to Lesbos, for your information, depart from Ayvalik, from a marine station just a few hundred metres from the newly opened museum.
(Veteran Boat – Rahmi M. Koç museum, the Pearl of Ayvalik – Barchemagazine.com – September 2024)
