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Turkey

European Turkey is of course part of the Balkans, but its Ottoman history permeates the whole peninsular.
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Istanbul

Istanbul's military museum is situated in the Spor ve Sergi Sarayi Carsisi Harbiye, Beyoglu. 

Outside the museum is a rail gun, aircraft, helicopters and an interesting collection of Ottoman guns and mortars. Inside the exhibits display a fine collection of Ottoman weapons and uniforms as you would expect from the Ottoman capital. The highlights are the magnificent campaign tents and standards. The absence of an English language guide book somewhat limits the experience. 

Whilst in Istanbul a visit to the maritime museum with its Ottoman and more modern ships is worthwhile. The ship models are particularly good as are the Ottoman cannon and Barbarossa's standard.

​Also visit the Theodosian walls of the old city, the Yedikule castle, Galata tower, the archaeological museum and the Topkapi Palace.  The covered bazaar has a number of good bookshops selling military prints.
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From Istanbul it is a short excursion to sail up the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, and visit the battlefields of Gallipoli, now a national park.
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And while not in the Balkans, there is mainland Turkey including sites like Pergamon.
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Balkan Military History. Covering the history of the Balkans since 1997.

Editor: Dave Watson. balkandave@gmail.com

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