Discover The Peace and Freedom Museum of North Cyprus

The Peace and Freedom Museum (Barış ve Özgürlük Müzesi) in Alsancak, Northern Cyprus, is a poignant historical site located exactly where Turkish forces landed during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. 

The Peace and Freedom Museum of North Cyprus

📍 Location & Access

• Situated just east of Yavuz Landing Beach, approximately 15 minutes drive from Girne town centre 

• Street Address: 86VR+PJ8 Girne 99350; open daily from 08:00–18:00 

  
  

What You’ll See

🎯 Outdoor Exhibit

• A display of armored vehicles and heavy weapons abandoned by retreating Greek forces, now set in a garden-like open-air museum

• A small military cemetery behind the museum holds the graves of Turkish officers and soldiers, including Colonel Karaoğlanoğlu, who died during the operation 

🏛️ Indoor Museum

• Housed in a former Greek residence (once Makarios’s dentist’s house) that served as command HQ on the night the operation began. A rocket-propelled grenade hit its entrance, killing several key personnel including Colonel Karaoğlanoğlu, Pilot Major Fehmi Ercan and Private Girgin 

• Exhibits span two floors:

  • Ground floor: Timeline exhibits, animations, captured weaponry, and a documentary screening

  • Upper floor: Uniforms, personal effects, and photographs of martyrs and participants. The inner courtyard features a memorial wall etched with names of those killed 

Visitor Highlights & Tips

• Free entry with on-site parking and a café for refreshments.

• Recommended visit duration: ~45 minutes to 1 hour.

• English-speaking military guides are often available .

• Ideal for older children—especially drawn to outdoor tanks and artifacts.

Why It Matters

This museum honors and reflects on the events of 20 July 1974, when Turkey launched a peace mission in response to intercommunal violence and threats against Turkish Cypriots. It's both a memorial and an educational space exploring the island’s turbulent mid-20th-century history.

How to Get There & Combine Your Visit

• About a 15–20 minute drive or bus ride east of Girne centre on Dörtyol/Atatürk Avenue.

• An optional scenic walk (30–40 minutes) along the coastal path from Girne Harbour.

• Close to Özgürlük Milli Park – perfect for a relaxing walk before or after the museum.

🔚 Summary Table

Feature	Details
Location	Alsancak (Girne)
Open daily	08:00–18:00
Entry fee	Free
Visit time	45–60 mins
Notable exhibits	Outdoor weapons, indoor displays, cemetery
Visitor facilities	Café, parking, possible guides

Overall, the Peace and Freedom Museum is a deeply meaningful place for understanding North Cyprus history through its artifacts and ground-level context—well worth a stop if you're exploring the Girne coast.