As part of the 600th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Poland, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum hosted the exhibition Distant Neighbour, Close Memories: 600 Years of Turkish-Polish Relations from 7 March to 15 June 2014. Held under the patronage of the Presidents of the Republics of Turkey and Poland and supported by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, the exhibition brought together works selected from the collections of Poland’s leading museums, archives, libraries, monasteries, and churches, alongside significant pieces from major museums in Turkey. Featuring a total of 348 objects, the exhibition was realised through the joint financial and institutional support of Sakıp Sabancı Museum and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
 

Distant Neighbour, Close Memories explored the multifaceted relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Poland, tracing their commercial and diplomatic engagements from the fifteenth century, through the political transformations of the seventeenth century, up to the Second Siege of Vienna. During the period when Bursa and Kraków emerged as major trade and cultural centres, Ottoman textiles, ceramics, and manuscripts were exported to Poland, while political and artistic exchanges between the two nations deepened. The exhibition featured diplomatic documents, maps, paintings, personal belongings and accessories of prominent figures, as well as artistic and commercial products of the time.
 

One of the exhibition’s highlights was the Second Siege of Vienna in 1683, a pivotal event in European history. The display traced the lead-up to the siege and showcased artefacts left behind by the Ottoman army, including tents and weaponry, offering insights into this momentous episode. The exhibition also examined the impact of Polish exiles who sought refuge in Ottoman lands during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Ottoman Empire’s refusal to officially recognise the partition of Poland ensured the continuity of diplomatic ties between the two nations, while the continued presence of the Polish envoy in the Ottoman court remained a symbolic testament to their enduring relationship.
 

Shedding light on the political, cultural, and artistic dimensions of Turkish-Polish relations throughout history, Distant Neighbour, Close Memories presented a multifaceted portrait of the era through its comprehensive collection and accompanying events.
 

Click here to access the conference series held on 7-8 March 2014 as part of the exhibition.