The Nusret ship was built in 1911 at the Howaldtswerke shipyard in Kiel, Germany.
During the night of March 7-8, 1915, the ship laid 26 naval mines that later destroyed several British and French warships.
The ship was decommissioned by the Turkish Navy in 1962 and later functioned as a commercial cargo ship under the name 'Kaptan Nusret'.
The vessel was rescued from a scrapyard and restored to its original 1915 appearance for its permanent land installation in Tarsus.
The ship measures approximately 40 meters in length.
The Nusret Mayın Gemisi ve Çanakkale Zaferi Kültür Parkı in Tarsus houses the restored Nusret mine-laying ship, a central figure in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. The park is designed as an open-air exhibition space commemorating the maritime victory that prevented Allied forces from passing through the Dardanelles. The original vessel, which played a decisive role in altering the course of WWI by laying 26 mines, was transported to Tarsus in 2003 after years of service and abandonment. Visitors can board the ship to explore the bridge, deck, and historical exhibition displays detailing its naval significance. The surrounding park features statues, dioramas, and memorial installations dedicated to the soldiers of the Gallipoli front. The area serves as both a historical site and a recreational green space for the local community. It is the only museum ship of its kind in Turkey that has been repurposed as a land-based historical monument. The site is maintained by the Tarsus Municipality to preserve regional and national military heritage.
The bow of the ship provides the most iconic angle for capturing the vessel's scale against the park backdrop.
Walk the full length of the deck to see the original mine-laying rails still intact.
Check the plaques near the memorial statues for detailed historical context on the Gallipoli campaign.
Wear comfortable footwear, as the metal surfaces on the ship can be uneven.
Do not attempt to touch the mechanical components or navigation equipment inside the ship, as they are fragile artifacts.
Closed on Mondays for routine maintenance.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as the site functions as a memorial; avoid climbing on restricted memorial installations.
