Surgical Instruments and Health Museum 🇹🇷

Located in Samsun, Turkey—a region famous for medical device manufacturing—the Surgical Instruments and Health Museum offers you a fascinating look into medical history. Housed inside a restored 1926 railway locomotive depot, this specialized museum opened in late 2021 and features an extraordinary collection of over 15,000 historical medical objects, mostly dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. When you visit, you will explore four distinct exhibition halls packed with intriguing artifacts.

At the entrance and central axis, you can view 18th-century patient chairs, 1800s stretchers, vintage crutches, thermophores, and early UV radiation devices. Step into Hall 1 to examine General Surgery items, including 1900s autoclave sterilization devices, cutting tools, and obstetrics instruments. Hall 2 houses historical dental tools and an eye examination set, while Hall 3 displays a painting exhibition.

In Hall 4, you will discover surgical hand tools produced by local companies, connecting Samsun’s rich medical heritage to its current industry. You can even see surgical instruments used during World War I's Gallipoli campaign and the Turkish War of Independence. It is a compelling destination for anyone curious about healthcare history.

What to see at Surgical Instruments and Health Museum

• Wartime surgical tools used during the Gallipoli campaign and the Turkish War of Independence
• A collection of over 15,000 medical artifacts set inside a restored 1926 locomotive depot
• General surgery cutting tools, obstetrics instruments, and 1900s autoclave sterilizers in Hall 1
• Vintage dental instruments, eye examination sets, and 18th-century patient chairs
• Exhibits detailing locally produced surgical tools from Samsun's medical industry

Visiting tips

Plan your visit between Tuesday and Sunday, as the museum is closed on Mondays.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Surgical Instruments and Health Museum is easy to reach on Samsun’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Statue of Honor and SS Bandırma. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Samsun travel guide.