11.2.3. Public access to museums

Middle East Technical University (METU) guarantees 100% free and open public access to university museums, specialized exhibition halls, outdoor heritage displays, and galleries. Serving the local community, researchers, and international visitors, METU operates Türkiye's first university archaeology museum alongside comprehensive geology and science-technology exhibition venues without charging any entrance fees.

1. Free University Museums & Archaeological Heritage

• METU Archaeology Museum (ODTÜ Arkeoloji Müzesi):
• Significance & Access: Founded in 1969 as Türkiye's first university archaeology museum, it houses artifacts dating back 5,000 years from the Koçumbeli settlement, the Yalıncak campus site, and Phrygian necropolis tumuli in central Ankara. Open to visitors on weekdays from 09:30–12:30 and 14:00–17:00. Admission is free of charge.
• Public Engagement (International Museums Week 2025): Under the global theme "Rethinking the Museum in Rapidly Changing Societies", METU hosts free public activities, including the Yalıncak Archaeological Site Walk & Public Picnic (19 May 2025) and Spring Festival Open Museum Day (23 May 2025).
• https://muze.metu.edu.tr/en/contact

• METU Geology Museum (ODTÜ Jeoloji Müzesi):
• Collections & Access: Operating since 1995 within the Department of Geological Engineering, this 150 m² hall displays over 1,000 mineral, rock, fossil, and historic mining artifact samples collected since 1963. Open to visitors Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00. Admission is free of charge.
• Geology Museum | GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

2. Open Access Exhibition Venues & Science Displays (TBM)

The METU Society and Science Application and Research Center (TBM) welcomes over 30,000 visitors annually to its open exhibition spaces:

• Open-Air Exhibition (Açık Hava Sergisi):
  • Permanently open and free of charge, displaying historical aircraft (Turkish Stars NF5 Aerobatic Jet, C47 Dakota, RF-104G, Bellanca 07), a 1940s steam locomotive, and the "Atatürk and Agriculture" vintage farm machinery collection.

               https://tbm.metu.edu.tr/ahs/

• Classic Car Exhibition (Klasik Otomobil Sergisi):
  • Open free of charge on weekdays (09:00–17:00), featuring classic vehicles (Anadol, Mercedes, Citroen, Pontiac, Chevrolet), vintage BMW motorcycles, and the official movie replica of Türkiye’s first indigenous car, "Devrim". Includes free audio guide services for visitors.

               https://tbm.metu.edu.tr/kos/#

• Planetarium (Gökevi):
  • Offers free astronomy and space science shows projected on a specialized dome, accessible via scheduled public and school reservations.
  • https://tbm.metu.edu.tr/gokevi/