Antalya Museum
If you don't believe that stones can talk, you haven't yet visited the Antalya Museum. One of Turkey's largest and most important museums, it's more than just an exhibition space; it's a massive time capsule where the thousands of years of history of Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycia are brought together under one roof.
1. A Story of Liberation
The museum's founding is as impressive as the exhibited artifacts. It was established in 1922 by Süleyman Fikri Erten, who wanted to prevent the occupation forces from smuggling ancient artifacts out of the country after World War I. This movement, which began with the vision of a teacher, today houses one of the world's richest collections of Roman-era sculptures.
2. The Splendor of Sculptures: Perge Hall
The most captivating part of the museum is undoubtedly the Sculpture Hall. The Roman statues unearthed during the excavations of the ancient city of Perge, preserved with almost flawless craftsmanship, allow you to feel the aesthetic sensibilities of the era to your very core.
The Weary Heracles: This is one of the museum's most famous pieces. After years of struggle, the upper half of this statue, brought from America and reassembled, symbolizes justice and perseverance.
Emperor Statues: From Hadrian to Septimius Severus, you can see the most powerful figures of Rome in all their glory here.
3. Children's Section and Sarcophagi
Antalya Museum has special sections that instill a love of antiquity not only in adults but also in children. Furthermore, the Sarcophagi Hall, featuring sarcophagi unearthed from the region and each a work of art with its reliefs, offers unique information about ancient burial traditions and mythological stories.
4. A Coffee Break with History in the Garden
Once your journey inside the museum is over, strolling among the peacocks in its spacious garden and examining the enormous column capitals and inscriptions displayed outdoors is an invaluable experience. Located in the heart of the city, right above the Konyaaltı cliffs, this oasis is one of the most refined stops on a trip to Antalya.
"Visiting the Antalya Museum means not only getting to know the blue of the Mediterranean, but also the thousands of years old white marble spirit hidden beneath that blue."
Silent Witness of Antiquity: Antalya Museum
1. A Story of Liberation
The museum's founding is as impressive as the exhibited artifacts. It was established in 1922 by Süleyman Fikri Erten, who wanted to prevent the occupation forces from smuggling ancient artifacts out of the country after World War I. This movement, which began with the vision of a teacher, today houses one of the world's richest collections of Roman-era sculptures.
2. The Splendor of Sculptures: Perge Hall
The most captivating part of the museum is undoubtedly the Sculpture Hall. The Roman statues unearthed during the excavations of the ancient city of Perge, preserved with almost flawless craftsmanship, allow you to feel the aesthetic sensibilities of the era to your very core.
The Weary Heracles: This is one of the museum's most famous pieces. After years of struggle, the upper half of this statue, brought from America and reassembled, symbolizes justice and perseverance.
Emperor Statues: From Hadrian to Septimius Severus, you can see the most powerful figures of Rome in all their glory here.
3. Children's Section and Sarcophagi
Antalya Museum has special sections that instill a love of antiquity not only in adults but also in children. Furthermore, the Sarcophagi Hall, featuring sarcophagi unearthed from the region and each a work of art with its reliefs, offers unique information about ancient burial traditions and mythological stories.
4. A Coffee Break with History in the Garden
Once your journey inside the museum is over, strolling among the peacocks in its spacious garden and examining the enormous column capitals and inscriptions displayed outdoors is an invaluable experience. Located in the heart of the city, right above the Konyaaltı cliffs, this oasis is one of the most refined stops on a trip to Antalya.
"Visiting the Antalya Museum means not only getting to know the blue of the Mediterranean, but also the thousands of years old white marble spirit hidden beneath that blue."
