About the Museum

Definition

A panoramic museum is an effective method of exhibiting paintings. In panoramic museums, a single painting is displayed. This painting is very large and detailed, placing the viewer at its center. The purpose of the panoramic painting is to create a frameless image that surrounds the viewer from all directions. Sections of the painting that appear to approach the viewer are created with real three-dimensional objects. The continuation of these three-dimensional elements is painted in such a way that they are also perceived as three-dimensional. In panoramic museums, a closed area with a diameter of 40 meters can expand to an astonishing extent, transforming into a real world. Panoramic museums are generally built at the location of significant historical events in order to keep the memory of those events alive.

General Features

The “Full Panorama” aims to increase the impact of panoramic museums on visitors by adding a dome and continuing the panoramic painting on the inner surface of this dome, along with many other innovations. Unlike classical panoramas, where natural or artificial light is provided from above, in the full panorama the light is given from below. Based on research on similar structures around the world, it is estimated that the panoramic painting will contain around 10,000 human and animal figures.

In the dome-shaped full panorama, the main structure is made of a steel supporting construction. On the inner surface of this steel structure lies a polyester painting shell, while the outer surface is covered with an insulated shell providing protection against heat, water, moisture, and sound. At the center beneath the dome is a 12-meter-diameter visitor platform. Surrounding this is a 38-meter-diameter platform of three-dimensional objects, followed by a 3-meter-wide space for lighting and ventilation, and finally, at the outermost layer, a 42-meter-diameter polyester painting shell.

The dome-shaped design allows the panoramic painting to be presented as a whole without boundaries from any direction, giving visitors the feeling of being under an endless sky. It also integrates the painted images as part of this illusion. Unlike traditional panoramas, where the visitor senses a long canvas stretched around them in a circle, the painting in a full panorama rises from the end of the 3D platform, passes the horizon line, encircles the visitor, and merges with the painting coming from the opposite side at the center of the dome. In a full panorama, the painting is everywhere, and it is difficult to perceive it as a canvas.

The Panoramic Museum on the Conquest of Bursa

There are around 30 panoramic museums worldwide, most of which were built over a century ago.

The planned panoramic museum on the conquest of Bursa will be a circular structure with a diameter of 40 meters and a ceiling in the form of an ellipsoid dome. The building will consist of two levels: the ground floor and the viewing platform.

On the ground floor, 16 narrative panels (120x200 cm) depicting important events and famous figures related to the theme of the panorama will be displayed. Additionally, a circular auditorium will be specially designed, where an introductory film about the Ottoman Empire’s foundation and the city of Bursa will be projected. At the museum’s exit, a gift shop offering souvenirs and educational products related to the museum and Bursa will also be located.

The lower platform, side walls, and ceiling of the structure will feature a 360° panoramic painting complemented by three-dimensional elements. On the 3D platform between the viewing platform and side walls, period-specific architectural and artistic objects of various sizes will be placed in accordance with perspective.

As with its artistic project, Uludağ University will also contribute to the architectural project. The museum building will have a contemporary and original design, becoming one of the symbols of Bursa. Its estimated cost is around $5 million.

Planned to begin in 2013, the panoramic museum on the conquest of Bursa will be the second domed panoramic museum in Turkey and the world with full panorama features, following the one in Istanbul.

Target Audience

This museum will be a structure based on scientific research and presented in light of historical facts. In addition to being a historical document, it will also carry artistic value. Therefore, the museum will be an international attraction appealing to everyone regardless of nationality, language, or religion.

The primary focus is on instilling historical awareness in younger generations through promotional activities in all educational institutions. In addition, it will introduce our history and culture to foreign tourists through tourism and promotional activities.

Project Objectives

One of our main goals is to preserve our past and historical values. We aim to recreate the conquest of Bursa—one of the most important milestones in the Ottoman Empire’s journey from a small principality to a world power—in a highly impressive manner.

As Bursa continues to grow in line with the country’s stable development, our purpose is not only material but also to enrich our moral and cultural values. We aspire to make our country one of the leading nations in cultural tourism, not just summer tourism. With this panoramic museum, we aim to take museology to a new dimension, reaching people in a way different from the classical museum approach. We believe this project will become one of the symbols of Bursa and contribute significantly to Turkish museology.

How the Goals Will Be Achieved (Main Activities)

Our aim is to attract as many visitors as possible, to ensure international recognition of the museum, and consequently, to contribute both to tourism and to the preservation of our historical values. To achieve these goals, extensive promotional and advertising campaigns will be carried out, utilizing the internet—the most powerful communication tool of our era—as well as other media outlets.

Collaborations will be established with the Provincial Directorate of National Education across the entire province. School trips will be organized to make student visits easier. Since spring is a peak season for school trips within Turkey, many educational institutions will be informed about the museum. Information activities will also be conducted for travel agencies serving both domestic and international tourists. Given that the museum will be located near Bursa’s historic “Hanlar District,” attracting tourists is expected to be relatively easy.

After the project’s completion, membership in the World Association of Panoramas will be sought. This membership will further enhance the recognition of Bursa and Turkey on international platforms. Though newly constructed, the museum will be registered as an example of civil architecture and preserved with the same care as a historical monument.

Expected Outcomes

The aim of the project is to depict the conquest of Bursa—home to six Ottoman sultans and the first capital of the empire—in a highly impressive full panorama. Panoramic museums already exist in many countries. This project will serve the public and society, being a social project of both historical and artistic value. The museum will have no restrictions in its scope, just as there are no limits to learning knowledge or appreciating art.

With this project, we aim to promote our country, history, and culture; transmit our cultural heritage to future generations; and provide both material and spiritual benefits. We will present one of the most important historical events in a powerful and authentic manner.

Tourism in Turkey continues to grow in line with the country’s overall development. For instance, the Panorama 1453 History Museum in Istanbul has an annual average of 1 million visitors. Based on comparative population and tourism figures, we estimate that the Panoramic Museum of Bursa will attract around 150,000–200,000 visitors annually. Since the museum will be located in the city center and along popular sightseeing routes, it will have a strong advantage in visitor potential.

After the project’s completion, membership in the World Association of Panoramas will be sought, which will once again contribute significantly to the international recognition of Bursa and our country.

Activities

The museum will not only display works but also conduct socio-cultural, educational, and promotional activities. It will provide visitors with informative and educational experiences, especially helping younger generations gain historical awareness and fostering curiosity for research.

The museum will serve as a scientific document and a platform presenting historical and cultural heritage. It will be a tourism hub at the local, national, and international levels thanks to both its architecture and subject matter. With Turkey’s growing tourism potential—36 million tourists in 2012—Bursa currently receives only 1% of this number. It is expected that the panoramic museum will significantly increase this share.