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
The museum is well laid out and it pays to spend some time pondering your route through as there is so much to see there . For newbies, the audio guide is worth the 10Lira fee. The range of exhibits is staggering from settlements that go back 7,000 years to more recent Ottoman artefacts that give a good impression of…
Archeological museums come in two categories: those that put you off and those that draw you in. This is definitely in the good category. Some stunning artifacts and beautifully displayed. Good English descriptions. Lovely garden with peacocks.
The statues are stunning – the Greco-Roman past gorgeously alive. The ethnographic displays are stellar. For a small fee, and about an hour and a half, I was completely absorbed in this wonderful museum, beautifully planned, with a fine garden as well. You don't have to be an expert – I'm not – for the past to come vividly alive….
This place is very insightful and interesting and brings to you history from different civilizations.It is a good place to visit during the afternoon to avoid the heat. You can also rent headphones that offer english descriptions of the monuments and statues displayed.
The museum is in good location, big, but not crowded. They have basically everything about the history of Antalya region until the 20th century with particular emphasis on the Ionian/ Helenistic style sculptures and tombstones. If you are in Antalya,it is the must..
nice things to recommend to go here first before you will visit Perge and Asperegos
Went to this museum and stayed all day. There was so much to see and learn. My kids 9&11 were entertained. We were really surprised how much was in the museum and the history of the area. It's a little sad that all the artifacts can't stay in their original place. Worth the price of about 15 TL for adult…
This museum is outside the old city – accessible by tram or about 30minutes on foot from the old city. It's well worth the visit!
The building itself looks a bit unimpressive and run down from the outside, and the first few sections as you enter makes you wonder why you bothered to come.
However, further in, and it's a…
Its a really great museum. Lots from Perges .One of the best in Turkewith lots of Roman sculpture.The sarcophagee are a must.
A very interesting musem to visit and a welcome relief from the hot Antalya days. I especially liked the sarcophagus section.
Very easy to get by tram. Go to clock tower and catch tram going left (west)