The ice blocks in the museum are illuminated with colorful lighting systems. (AA photo)
The “Ata Ice Museum,” operated by Atatürk University in the eastern province of Erzurum, has welcomed more than 300,000 visitors since its establishment, offering a cool escape from the summer heat.
Opened in 2020 within Atatürk University’s Faculty of Fine Arts with support from the North Eastern Anatolia Development Agency (KUDAKA), the museum continues to welcome visitors throughout the year.
The museum displays ice sculptures created as part of projects by the university’s graduate and doctoral students, with exhibitions held throughout the year.
The ice blocks are illuminated with colorful lighting systems, while temperatures inside the museum can fall to as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius. Visitors are therefore required to wear winter outdoor clothing while touring the museum.
Aydın Doğan, a sculpture student at the Faculty of Fine Arts who works at the museum, told Anadolu Agency that visitors were impressed by the experience.
“We make sculptures out of ice here. Our faculty opened the first ice museum in Türkiye. The temperature is generally minus 5 degrees Celsius, but we turn off the fans while working so we don’t get cold,” Doğan said.
He said activities at the museum become more intensive during the academic year, adding that visitors were particularly surprised by the ice sculptures.
“We have made an eagle’s head, a rearing horse and old houses of Erzurum out of ice. Visitors ask us, ‘How do you make these?’ They are very interested. Since the museum was established, we have welcomed more than 300,000 visitors,” he said.
Doğan said the museum also serves as a place to cool down during the summer.
“When it’s hot, I pass by here on my way to school, cool down and leave. The ice museum is also active in summer. It cools visitors in Erzurum’s heat and is more effective and colder than air conditioning. Sometimes we have visitors who come just to cool down,” he said.
He explained that the museum produces its own ice and uses saws and carving tools to shape the blocks according to specific dimensions and designs.
Most works are inspired by Erzurum
Doğan said students also receive ice sculpture training at the museum and work on projects related to Erzurum’s local culture.
“Students come here, work and make ice sculptures. Exhibitions are generally based on master’s and doctoral projects focusing on Erzurum and its culture,” he said.
He added that the museum also creates works such as birds and penguins for children, but most of the sculptures are inspired by the Erzurum region.
“We are considering coloring the ice in the future. We will launch a project that has never been seen before. We are currently in the trial-and-error stage,” Doğan said.
