Natural stone was the first material the processing of which was mastered by humans. In ancient times, it was used for making the first tools – hand axes. Later the stone was used for building. Then after many years the humankind started to make different creative decorative and applied art items and precious jewelry out of it. Everywhere in the world, there are special types of stone and many talented stone cutters whose masterpieces are placed in the modern museum halls.

The center of the Turkish region of Anatolia, the city of Eskişehir, is famous for sepiolite which was first mentioned in 1173. This mineral is soft and moist in the process of mining, so the talented masters could make fine objects with exquisite carvings: jewelry and pins, hookahs and cigarette holders, beads, and even saxophones. However, the most famous items are the smoking pipes – the whole museum in Eskişehir is devoted to them.

The museum of Meerschaum was founded in 2008. Still, there are no analogs of it in the world. The basis of its unique collection is the personal collection of the governor of Eskişehir, as well as the works of more than 60 artists represented at international exhibitions. Each and every exhibit of the museum has a trace of a long rich history of the Turkish people of the 18th century. In total, there are 400 exhibits. The variety of shapes and designs of the items can impress even the most sophisticated visitors. Locals do not this stone «white gold» for nothing. The items made out of it can be called real masterpieces.

Those who prefer tobacco of a high quality appreciate not only the aesthetics of the collection of carved pipes made of this material but also the special flavor and aroma given by the stone. The tobacco pipes made out of sepiolite are unique and cannot be compared to other pipes.