Bayazhan Gaziantep City Museum

Bayazhan was built by the tobacco merchant Bayaz Ahmet Efendi in 1909. While visiting Aleppo during a trading expedition he decided to build the same in Antep, as he was a merchant he understood the costs and took on an Armenian partner. the build was completed by using Armenian stone masters and took 5-6 years to finish.

During the early years of the building, it was used as a tobacco ranch. During a battle with the British, the ranch was used as a headquarters, which was followed by a temporary prison during the defence of the city. After peace had resumed the building was used for recreation, this is shown by the first film shown in Gaziantep was shown in the Great Hall of Bayazhan.

1919 saw the death of Bayaz Ahmet Efendi, with his family using their half to produce the aniseed alcoholic drink called Raki. The Armenian partner sold his part of the ranch to a Muslim sect until bought by TEKEL tobacco company. After the closure of the company, the half was left untouched. The family proceeded to neglect the property and the locals considered evil for the treatment and the dysfunctionality.

In 2005 the Mayor of Gaziantep organised for the purchase of Bayazhan, the restoration process was completed in 2009 where it opened as a museum and tourist attraction, with souvenir shops and restaurants on the lower floor. The 1st floor sees each of the rooms display the daily culture of Gaziantep city, each has audio descriptions of what is in each room. All around the building, there are antique items, including looms, gas lanterns, photography equipment amongst others.