Archeological Museum, Antalya

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There is a fine coin collection that came from the different cities and later, regimes of the area. Much known history is only known through the coins that have been found relating to distant rulers or myths. It is interesting to see the coins get thinner as the years go by. The coins date from ancient times up through Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman days.

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A wall is devoted to some of the icons that have come from various parts of the region. Paul traveled through the area several times including his last voyage to Rome when he took a boat from Andriake – the harbor for nearby Myra – to Rome. St Nicholas was born in the western part of the region in Patara and was buried near Myra – where he was a bishop - in a basilica that became buried with time.

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This region is known for its extravagant and wide variety of final resting tombs. Some have been removed to Istanbul and Ankara, but those left behind are still quite exquisite. The remaining best are here in Antalya. The Herakles Sarcophagus dates to the 2nd C CE and dramatically recounts the 12 trials faces by Herakles. Just beyond are Lycian tomb friezes and the frieze from Limyra – 1st C AD – which is from the Gaius Caesar cenotaph. Gaius was the grandson of Augustus and was in line to be his successor. He died in Limyra on February 21, 4 CE from a wound he received during a battle in Armenia. Gaius was buried in Augustus’ mausoleum in Rome but the Limyrans put up a cenotaph in memory of his life with a frieze commemorating the last campaign of the would-be god.

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One of the highlights of the museum is found in the Emperors’ Room where several well-preserved statues from nearby Perge have been moved to. Emperor Hadrian and his wife Livia take center stage – several statues that were erected in honor of a state visit made by Hadrian to Perge are displayed. Amongst the Gods and goddesses – of which the emperors were considered to be included – is a statue of Plancia Magna. She was daughter of the Roman provincial governor, a priestess of the local temple of Artemis and the Imperial Cult as well as an important city administrator and benefactor for Perge.

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Located above the sea on the west side of town, this is one of the finer regional museums found in Turkey. Like other regions of Turkey, there are many tales to tell with one civilization following another in this area. You start with an interesting orientation wall map which covers the areas of ancient Lycia and Pamphylia. Then off into prehistory and the Bronze Ages you go. Next come several exhibits relating to different archeological sites from the area. Some of the findings from those areas are exhibited along with some information on prominent local archeologist involved in the restorations.

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Sulayman Fikri Bey took the fist step in the establishment of Antalya Museum in 1919,collecting the old works of art at the central city.The museum was located at the Aladdin Mosque in 1922,and was moved to Yivli Minare Mosque 1937.Finally it was moved to its new building of today.
The Antalya Museum hosts items that date from the earliest history of Anatolia like small flint scrapers and flint knives dating from stone age to 2nd century AD statues from Gods of Perge,as well as a comprehensive ethnographical collection reflecting Antalya's historical inheritance.
Some of them,chipped stone assemblage,painted pots,bowls(lower palaeolithic period),articles from Phrygia period-late 8-7 centuries B.C,articles from Classical perod-5th century B.C and Roman period-2nd century A.D.-Statuette of Zeus,Artemis,Apollon-APHRODITE,ATTHENA,hYGIEIA,ETC.
There are 13 sections(Halls)
-Natural history and prehistory hall
-the hall of small works I-II
-the hall of Gods
-the hall of Emperors
-the hall of grave cultures
-the hall of mosaics and icons
-the hall of coins
-etnography hall
and children sections
There more than 5000 articles and 25000-30000 pcs are waiting to exhibit!!!
Open between 8.30 am-17.30 pm daily except on mondays.entrance fee 15 YTL(2009)

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If you visit the city of Antalya you must get to the museum. A great place to spend a day inside either escaping the heat of the day or as a cultural trip. The Antalya museum with it many halls and exibitions of artifacts ranging from prehistorical times throughout the ages. Wonderful collections which include glass artifacts, terra cotta clay pottery, well preserved statues of the many Roman Gods, Ottoman artifacts, coins from throughout history, rugs, kilims, and much much more. The artifacts and relics on display are from the Antalya region and displayed in chronological order. Here are just a few of the many halls.

1. Natural History and Prehistory Hall
2. Small artifacts Hall - 1
3. Hall of Gods
4. Small artifacts hall -2
5. Hall of Emperors
6. Hall of tomb Cultures
7. Hall of coins
8. Ethnographical Halls

The museum is opened daily except Mondays from 8:30 am - 19:30 pm.

I would however suggest that you try to visit early as in the later part of the afternoons the tours buses tend to arrive. Admission was 10 YTL ( Turkish Liras )

Terrific collections of antiquities. Not only the typical Greek and Roman-era stuff, but all major periods before and after. The main hall is filled with statues of gods excavated from nearby Perge. If you visit Perge, try to imagine its boring colonnaded streets lined with these statues. Sigh. Other things that caught my attention were caches of gold coins from sunken ships, intricately carved stone sarcophagi (the "garlanded" one is spectacular), and painted statues, i.e. not just bare stone (the color adds a lot to the visual impact). There are 14 different halls so figure on spending 2-3 hours here.

Antalya Archaeological Museum is considered to be one of the best in Turkey and it is easy to see that. It is large with a variety of artefacts from different periods and different sites around Antalya.
Here you find everything: fossils, jewellery from the Bronze Age, tools and pottery, statues of classical gods, mosaics etc. And everything is displayed in a nice way with good information.
After the archaeology section there are some rooms displaying ethnographic artefacts from the Ottoman era, for example dresses, music instrument, weapons and carpets.
Take your time! There are so many things worth seeing!

Entrance fee is 15 000 000 TL.
Entrance for students is 3 000 000 TL.
I got a slight chock hearing the price and the woman selling the ticket saw that and gave the student price, which I am very happy for.

In small room in Antalya Museum, where Christian Art is exhibited, there are relics of St Nicholas in a small box.

St Nicholas (Noel Baba) was a Christian bishop living along the coast south of Antalya, and from the legend about him comes Father Christmas.