Trabzonspor M.Şamil Ekinci Müzesi

The Mehmet Şamil Ekinci Trabzonspor Museum invites you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of great sporting achievements—a place where the history of one of the most decorated football clubs in Turkey comes to life. Located in the heart of Trabzon, in the colorful Ortahisar district, this museum is a true treasure trove for football fans and researchers of sports culture.

Trabzonspor Mehmet Şamil Ekinci Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Founded in 1996 and named after the club's prominent president, the museum is a modern exhibition space that carefully preserves about 1,000 trophies. Among the exhibits, you can find not only the Süper Lig and Turkish Cups but also unique artifacts from the predecessor teams that existed before the official merger of Trabzonspor in 1967. This is not just a collection of awards, but a symbol of the unbreakable spirit of the region, embodied in metal and stone.

Of particular value are legendary exhibits such as the famous "half-cup" and awards won on the international stage. The constantly updated exhibition includes rare photographs, historical player kits, and memorabilia that allow visitors to feel every club triumph as if it happened just yesterday.

To confirm the latest information before your visit, you can use the museum's official contact details. The club's administration keeps the displays up to date and is always ready to assist tourists with information about current exhibitions.

The main reason to visit the museum is the opportunity to see the grand trophy wall with your own eyes. You can examine 7 Süper Lig trophies, numerous Turkish Cups, and Super Cups that have made Trabzonspor a legend. Don't forget to find the famous "Half-Cup"—a unique artifact from 1958 that clearly demonstrates how heated football rivalries can be in this region.

In addition to the gold awards, the halls display rare memorabilia: archival photographs, jerseys of legendary players from different eras, and commemorative pennants from international matches. It is a great place to study the evolution of football equipment and trophy design over the last decades. Each hall is dedicated to a specific stage of the club's development, allowing you to follow its journey from a regional team to a national champion.

For those who want to prepare for their visit or refresh their impressions, a 3D virtual tour is available on the club's official website. However, a personal visit offers entirely different emotions: the scale of the collection and the significance of each cup are felt much more intensely when you stand directly in front of them. It is the perfect place for commemorative photos against the backdrop of Trabzon's symbols of sporting greatness.

The museum is located at Kemerkaya, Hüsnü Aybay Sk. No:6, in the very heart of the Ortahisar district. Thanks to its central location, it is within walking distance of the city's main tourist arteries. If you are already walking in the center, look for the Trabzon City Museum or St. Anne's Church—this sporting treasure house is very close by.

For those who prefer public transport, any buses or minibuses (dolmush) heading to Meydan Square will work. From there, you can reach the museum building in just a few minutes while enjoying the atmosphere of the old streets. If you are arriving from Trabzon Airport, a taxi ride will take only 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic.

For travelers arriving by car, paid parking is available around the Kemerkaya area. The convenient location makes it easy to combine a visit to the home of the "claret-and-blues" with a tour of other historical landmarks in the city center.

The museum is named after Mehmet Şamil Ekinci, one of the most respected presidents in the club's history, whose contribution to the formation of Trabzonspor is hard to overstate. The official opening of the first exhibition took place on September 23, 1996. Since then, the museum has changed locations several times and was updated until it found its current home in a modern building in the Kemerkaya district on February 9, 2011.

A special place in history is held by the collection of awards that the club inherited from its predecessors. Trabzonspor was founded in 1967 as a result of the merger of several local teams, and the museum carefully preserves the memory of each one. Here, you can trace the journey of a local team becoming a true giant of Turkish football, which managed to challenge the giants of Istanbul.

One of the most striking facts is related to the so-called "Half-Cup" (Yarım Kupa). In the 1957–1958 season, in the final of the Turkish Amateur Championship, the teams Trabzon İdmanocağı and Ankara Havagücü drew twice. To resolve the dispute, a unique decision was made: the cup was literally cut in half, and both teams were declared champions. This half of the silver trophy is now one of the most valuable exhibits.

The archives also house the "Cyprus World Cup" and many awards for victories in the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup. The museum is considered one of the best sports collections in Turkey, annually attracting thousands of sports pilgrims wishing to touch the living history of achievements.

To leisurely browse all the halls and delve into the history of the trophies on display, it usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. This is plenty of time to explore the collection of a thousand cups, examine commemorative photographs, and read descriptions of key moments in the club's life.

If you are a passionate football fan, your visit might last longer, as every exhibit here is filled with unique energy. For the average tourist wishing to get acquainted with the sports culture of Trabzon, a one-hour stroll through the museum will be an excellent addition to the main sightseeing route.

The museum's doors are usually open to visitors daily from 09:00 to 17:00. This schedule makes it easy to include a visit in your morning or afternoon city center walk. It is worth noting that some sources indicate opening hours until 18:00, except on Mondays; however, the most reliable way to confirm the schedule is to check the official club website.

If important matches or festive events are planned at the Trabzonspor stadium, the museum's operating hours may change slightly. It is recommended to plan your visit for the first half of the day to ensure you have time to see all the exhibits before closing.

A visit to the Trabzonspor Museum can easily be turned into a full day of sightseeing, as it is surrounded by many other interesting locations. The Ortahisar district is rich in historical monuments, cozy parks, and modern entertainment centers.

Exploring the surrounding area will allow you to dive deeper into the city's culture: from inspecting the ancient castle walls to visiting modern aquariums, which will be especially interesting for families with children.