Mersin Water Museum 🇹🇷

Step back into the modern history of Mersin, Turkey, with a visit to the Mersin Water Museum (Mersin Su Müzesi). Situated in the Toroslar district at the MESKİ waterworks office, this award-winning destination offers a fascinating glimpse into how the city managed its water supply. Originally built between 1936 and 1939 under Mayor Mithat Toroğlu, the facility served as Mersin’s primary filtration plant, processing water from the Müftü River for decades.

After being disabled in 1984 and remaining neglected for nearly thirty years, the historic site was thoughtfully restored and reopened as a public museum in 2016, earning recognition from the Association of Turkish Historical Cities. When you visit, you can explore an authentic mid-century industrial facility where the pumps and machinery remain fully operable today. Stroll through the ground floor to see the dosing room—complete with an aluminum sulfate smasher—along with the ventilation room, chlorination room, staff room, and three filter pools.

Afterward, head down into the basement's manoeuvre room to examine the controls used for the main valves. It is an ideal, educational stop if you want to uncover a unique, historic chapter of Mersin’s municipal heritage.

What to see at Mersin Water Museum

• Awarded by the Association of Turkish Historical Cities
• Restored 1930s pumps and machinery that are still operable
• Ground floor featuring filter pools and an aluminum sulfate smasher
• Basement manoeuvre room displaying main valve control systems

Visiting tips

Look for the museum inside the MESKİ waterworks workplace, located just northwest of the intersection of two boulevards in Toroslar.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Mersin Water Museum is easy to reach on Mersin’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Soli and Atatürk Park. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Mersin travel guide.