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Peace & Freedom Museum

Peace & Freedom Museum

The Peace and Freedom Museum in Alsancak is a poignant historical site located exactly where Turkish forces landed during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.

📍 Location & Access
• Situated just east of Yavuz Landing Beach, approximately 15 minutes’ drive from Kyrenia 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:
o Ground floor: Timeline exhibits, animations, captured weaponry, and a documentary screening .
o Upper floor: Uniforms, personal effects, and photographs of martyrs and participants.
o 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 Kyrenia centre on Dörtyol/Atatürk Avenue.
• An optional scenic walk (30–40 minutes) along the coastal path from Kyrenia 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 Cyprus's history through its artifacts and ground-level context—well worth a stop if you're exploring the Kyrenia coast.

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