Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
A museum of Hittite and Phrygian treasures
About
Housed in a restored Ottoman covered bazaar at the foot of Ankara Castle, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is a world-famous museum displaying Anatolia's ten-thousand-year history under a single roof. Its collection, which has won the "European Museum of the Year" award, is of priceless value. The museum presents, in chronological flow, finds from the Palaeolithic period onward — Neolithic Çatalhöyük finds, the magnificent works of the Hatti and Hittite civilisations, and Phrygian, Urartian and Lydian treasures. The standing stones from Göbeklitepe and unique Hittite reliefs are the stars of the collection. With its architecturally impressive historic bazaar building and rich contents, the museum is a masterpiece for anyone wishing to understand Anatolia's ancient civilisations; it is the most intellectually rewarding stop on a Ankara visit.
History
The museum was created by restoring and combining the 15th-century Mahmut Paşa Bedesten and the Kurşunlu Han, and opened in its present form in 1968. In 1997 it was named 'European Museum of the Year'; its collection is the most comprehensive example of Anatolian archaeology.
Visiting Tips
- ✓See the Hittite works and Çatalhöyük finds
- ✓Follow the chronological flow as you explore
- ✓Allow at least 1.5–2 hours
- ✓Can be combined with Ankara Castle in one day
- ✓An audio guide enriches the details
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Museum of Anatolian Civilisations?
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is located at Altındağ, Ankara in Ankara.
When is the best time to visit Museum of Anatolian Civilisations?
Recommended time: Year-round.
