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
travelers who likes to know about the local history, must visit this museum and the castle around
The Antalya Archaeological Museum is a joy to visit. First, it is easy to find — just at the end of a short tram ride from Kaleici, the old part of the city, where the nice boutique hotels are located. Second, the collection is magnificent, containing items from sites all over the region. The most outstanding are the large sculptures…
Worth the trip and time. Lots to see and shows the timeline of the coast from the southern coast.
My 12 year old son and his Dad went into Antalya on our hotels free shuttle bus and visited the museum. The statues of the Gods were of most interest to him. They spent quite a few hours there and would definitely go again.
all the statues and clothes ect nicely set out places to sit down if you needed a rest are just to take everything in 15 TL entrance fee and well worth it nice shop although that was a little on the expensive side out side gardens a nice retreat and again places to sit and take in all thats around…
A very good museum. Especially the Sarcophagi and the statues. You can spend a lovely afternoon walking from Kaleiçi through Atatürk park to the museum. After the museum visit catch the tram back to the city centre.
The Hall of Gods is wonderful – the sculptures are very effectively displayed. Their faces are hauntingly beautiful, and the detail in their clothing and accoutrements is the work of accomplished artists in ancient days. Good bookstore and gift shop.
This museum is worth the trip to Antalya. Well laid out with good explanations (in English too) in a gorgeous building with gardens.
Not too large so it kept one's interest. The cafe area was covered in a massive wisteria which was the most wonderful sun shade. We caught an old German tram to get there – it's at the end of the line so you can't miss the museum (unless you are going in the wrong direction!)
If its too hot to sunbathe or wander the streets of the Old Town then go here, it's well air conditioned and it's quite interesting!
Take the historic tram for 1.50TL all the way there. The exhibits are well spaced, not so many crowds. Only down side is there could be a bit more in English but you'll still know…