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
Don't forget to visit the on site wonders of Perge en Aspendos.
The museum completes the experience of historic Turkey.
So much to see here, very relevant if you have already been to the surrounding ancient cities. Made me wish we'd gone to the Karain caves (probably best after coming to the museum so you know what to look for!) but unfortunately we came on our last day here.
The Antalya Museum has a truly fantastic collection of antiquites and is one of the best museums in Turkey. A must see in Antalya.
lots and lots and lots and lots of statues! Worth a visit on those rainy days….if you have any!
The museum is the true jewel of Antalya. It has a unique collection of Roman marble sculptures dating from 2nd century AD. Highly recommended.
Some incredible statues and artifacts from Perge but a great selection of artifacts from all ages. If you like ancient history this is the place to go but avoid the tours as they rush you around. You need to spend time there to appreciate properly.
Great collection presented in a simple and easy to digest way. Plenty to see and read/learn about, and exactly the right size to make it enjoyable to look through in one visit of only a few hours.
This museum features principally Roman-era sculptures from the Anatolian region, especially Perge. It gives the visitor an introduction to early history and Hellenic times, but its pride is definitely the extensive rooms of statuary, well displayed and clearly discussed in the audio guide. It also has a section on coins and some on ethnography, including a stunning wooden ceiling that…
An excellent museum filled with ancient artifacts. Many of the exhibits at this museum are from Perge. The museum is very easy to get to on the tram. Allow at least half a day to view all the exhibits. For a little snack going to or from the museum there is a nice cafe on opposite side of the street,…
This is one of the best regional museums that I have ever seen. While founded in 1922, to prevent postwar looting, it has a very modern feel.
Though rich in impecably preserved artifacts the exhibitors have resisted the temptation to stuff every nook and crany. It has an open and airy feel. It is comfortable and quiet giving lots of…