Protecting Antalya’s Ancient Heritage
Antalya Museum History & Significance
The story of Antalya Museum began with an urgent effort to protect the region’s archaeological heritage.
Antalya Museum was founded in 1922 through the efforts of teacher and historian
Süleyman Fikri Erten. Its creation was closely connected with the protection of ancient objects
during the difficult years following the First World War, when important artefacts in and around Antalya were at risk of removal or loss.
The first collection was housed in the Alaaddin Mosque in Kaleiçi.
It was later transferred to the Yivli Minaret complex before the museum moved to its purpose-built location in 1972.
The former museum complex covered approximately 30,000 square metres and included
14 exhibition halls, open-air galleries, a children’s section and landscaped gardens.
Antalya Museum developed as both an archaeological museum and a regional museum. Its responsibility area included important parts of
Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia, while much of its collection came directly from archaeological excavations and rescue projects
carried out across the Antalya region.
The museum became internationally known for its exceptional Roman sculpture collection from
Perge. In recognition of its cultural importance and presentation,
Antalya Museum received the Council of Europe Museum of the Year Award in 1988.