The Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of Turkey’s largest museums, located in Antalya. It includes 13 exhibition halls and an open air gallery. It covers an area of 7,000 m2 (75,000 sq ft) and has 5000 works of art are exhibited. In addition a further 25,000–30,000 artifacts which cannot be displayed are in storage. As a museum exhibiting examples of works, which illuminate the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions in Anatolia, Antalya Museum is one of the most important of Turkey’s museums. The Museum won the “European Council Special Prize” in 1988.
At the end of the World War I, during the time when Antalya was under the Italian military occupation, Italian archeologists started to remove the archeological treasures that had been found in the center or the surroundings to the Italian Embassy, which they claimed to do in the name of civilization. To prevent these initiatives, Süleyman Fikri Bey, the Sultan’s teacher, applied to the Antalya post and jurisdiction of the provincial Governor in 1919 and had himself appointed as voluntary curator of antiquities and first tried to establish the Antalya Museum by collecting what remained in the center.
The museum at first operated in the Alâeddin Mosque in 1922, then in Yivli Minare Mosque beginning from 1937, and then moved to its present building in 1972. It was closed to visitors for a wide range of modifications and restorations in 1982. It was reorganized according to a modern approach for a museum and opened to the public in April 1985, after the restorations and display arrangements made by the General Directorate of Ancient Objects and Museums.
Roman Dancer at Antalya Archaeological Museum
Bronze age burial practice around here (for some): in a big amphora jar
Three Graces in Antalya Archaeological Museum
You can get the tram right to the last stop to visit this museum. Lots here, ordered roughly chronologically but then with themed sections filled with statues of Gods, or busts of wealthy men, or cultural items.
There are audio tours available but you can get round just fine without as many key items come with written descriptions and explanations…
You wont see a collection of artifacts like this in one place unless you're in a capital city museum.
This wonderful archeological museum has got to be one of the best of its kind in the world. It exceeded my expectation. Many of the huge statues were excavated from nearby Perge and were breathtaking in their size and detail. We spent nearly 3hrs in here, and that seemed to be rushed. We could have spent more time. The sarcophagi…
Spent a few hours there today. They have a great collection, price is 15 lira, and it is located at the end of the tram line from the old city. There are hardly any crowds and you can pace yourself and get educated on all their collections recovered from Perge. Truly an enjoying experience for both adults and kids
The upper part of the famous statue Herakles has just come back from US to his home. He welcomes the visitors 🙂
This is really a worthy museum to visit. Nice displays and lots to read.
The palaeolithic and Bronze Age artefacts were impressive, as was the section on more modern Turkish culture. But the real draw for this museum is the collection of Roman statues and sarcophagi. Amazing! The status of the various gods were especially impressive. A large selection over several rooms, with informative signs in English and Turkish.
than worth the entrance…
If you plan on visiting Termesos, Perge and Aspendos you should really make the effort to visit the Museum. Then you'll know what was actually in these sites when they were discovered. The quality of the artifacts is unbelievable and their presentation is really well done. Good English signage.
After having visited some half dozen major sites along the coast it was most interesting and helpful to tour this museum. The artefacts on display give an idea of the splendid cities that existed here during Hellenic and Roman periods.
Aside from the cultural and educational value, the museum is beautifully designed in its layout and lighting.
By the way,…
Not much to say about this museum, it's small and mainly shows huge sculptures and artefacts from the old city Perge.
Worth seeing though if you are interested in the History of Perge.
The cafe is very basic so don't plan any lunch in there.