“Turkey’s First Necropolis Museum Opens in Antalya”
Turkey’s first Necropolis Museum, where 866 tombs were discovered during rescue excavations, continues to welcome local and international tourists.
Located in Çaybaşı Mahallesi in the Muratpaşa district, the site was once home to the Festival Bazaar and Urban Public Transportation Center. In 2008, excavation work for a commercial complex and an underground parking lot revealed ancient burial sites.
Nearly 1,000 Tombs Identified
Following the discovery, the Antalya Museum Directorate conducted rescue excavations between 2008 and 2011. These excavations unearthed numerous tombs spanning from the Hellenistic Period to the Late Roman Period. Including those found during the Attaleia Necropolis project implementation, nearly 1,000 tombs were identified.
Findings from the tombs indicate that the Attaleia Necropolis was used for approximately 700 years, from the early 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD. Many artifacts recovered from the site are now displayed at the Antalya Museum.
During the 2008 construction, the foundation excavations revealed ancient tomb remains. Rescue excavations carried out by the Museum Directorate between 2008 and 2010 uncovered:
- 866 tombs,
- 1,018 cataloged artifacts,
- Nearly 2,000 skeletons.
In 2011, the necropolis site was designated as a first-degree archaeological site. The Necropolis Museum was later transferred from the Metropolitan Municipality to the Antalya Museum through an agreement signed on July 20, 2023.
Museum Construction Led by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality
As part of the Turkey Culture Route Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Antalya Necropolis Museum was opened in the Eastern Garage area of Antalya, offering visitors an unforgettable journey through history.
Excavations were carried out by the Antalya Archaeological Museum, while construction was supported by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. The museum houses tombs dating from the 3rd and 4th centuries BC to the 5th century AD, along with over 400 artifacts brought from the Antalya Museum.
Visitors can walk on glass pathways above the excavation site before exploring the displayed artifacts, providing them with a unique historical experience.
