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 need 2 hours and a half to see all of the museum!
It is so rich and amazingly well presented to the visitors.
Definitely take the audio guide at the entrance cause each piece has a little story!
The museum houses most of the artifacts from Perge and Aspendos which helped my partner and I gain a much more detailed understanding of life before the ruins. We purchased the audio guides and it was just as well as everything is written in Turkish. Good air conditioning also.
This museum well and truly surpassed our expectations. We went on a Sunday and it was really nice and quiet. The collection of roman sculptures is exceptional. The plaques and audio toiur were very informative and easy to follow. We had a very entertaining and educational day here.
It was well laid out and can be viewed in a couple of hours. Gave some background to the sights seen on our tour
I was amazed at the prehistoric cave findings of tools and grave remains of ancient peoples.
One of the best museums I've visited. Very informative and well curated. Exhibitions are very clearly laid out by time line, period and styles. One of the best collection of roman sculpture anywhere in Turkey. Truly enjoyed.
dont forget to take a water with you. it is located in the center but try to prefer to go with bus taxi is too expensive
One can reach the museum easily by tram, as it is just beside a terminus. I recommend that one uses the audio-guide available. It is also a lovely place to go to enjoy the tea garden, without paying museum entrance. There is so much to see, from Neolithic times to Christian Icons, all beautifully displayed. Check it out!
When I came they had 'The return of Heracles' which was amazing. I learnt so much that i would never of bothered to learn if i wasn't at a foreign museum. Its gorgeous and very relaxing. There are lizards and chickens outside which i thought was really cool. It is a must see!
Go early and you'll have it to yourself.
The exhibits were understandable even without English titles/descriptions…..
The part that knocked me out we're the many and impressive statues.
The garden invited contemplation – even the strolling peacocks were thoughtful.