Museum of Anatolian Civilizations — Attraction in Altındağ

As an AVID museum-goer and historian, this is a VERY GOOD and important museum in world history. I would give it 5 stars if the audio guide (extra charge) actually worked properly and didn’t feel a bit scammy. It’s too bad it didn’t because there’s too much here to be standing and reading all day (and it can get quite crowded when school groups come through, as it’s not a huge museum).

The museum holds the most important artifacts from pretty much all of the major Anatolian Civilizations of ancient times, which is why they are called civilizations, because they are among the first civilizations in the world! This is not an Islamic or Ottoman museum because those empires were much later and there are museums for that elsewhere in abundance. The highlights here are Neolithic finds from Catalhoyuk, as well as amazing pieces from Assyrian colonization, Hittite, and Phrygian. This is where you are going to see amazing artifacts and parts of structures of peoples who lived before and alongside civilizations like ancient Egypt. It’s an important part of the history of the world and of Turkey and Anatolia that most people don’t even know about.

The central hall of epic statues and orthostats (stone wall reliefs) is worth the visit in and of itself. The stone reliefs are WONDERFUL, especially if you know where they fit in world history. The ones here are mainly from Alacahoyuk and another site near Gazantiep.

It’s simply stunning seeing large statues and sculptures and stories embedded in rock from some of the first civilizations in the world. They are so well preserved and you can almost live their myths and adventures.

The pieces in this museum are beautifully displayed (mostly) with much care and good descriptions in English. The staff are friendly. Almost no one speaks much English in Türkiye, so take your google translate.

I recommend watching some YouTube videos about ancient and Anatolian civilizations before going because if you have a sense of what you’re really looking at, you can understand the scope and majesty of this great museum.

Clean up the act with regards to the audio guide (most of the items on display that are in the audio guide the staff have neglected to label, so you spend most of your time figuring out what number to push, and they snatch your audio guide away almost an hour before closing as a surprise) and maybe offer guided tours as well in English. If you fix these issues, you will have a truly world...

I must say that before my recent trip to Turkey, I wasn't really interested in going to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi) in Ankara. Most of the time, I don't enjoy visiting museums that focus on historic cultures. But I'm happy to report that visiting this specific museum was a fun and memorable experience that I'd heartily recommend to others.

I was immediately taken by the museum's stunning architecture, which skillfully combines modern style with the old building it is located in. The museum's layout has been well thought out and organised to make it easy for visitors to move about and thoroughly immerse themselves in the fascinating history of the many Anatolian civilizations.

The sheer variety of artefacts on show at this museum is one of its most outstanding features. It is evident that the curators have worked hard to offer a thorough picture of the area's history, covering everything from the Palaeolithic era to the Hittites, Phrygians, and Lydians. Visitors are better able to comprehend and appreciate the value of the artefacts they are viewing thanks to the thorough descriptions and educational panels that accompany each exhibit.

The interactive features of the museum, which cater to a variety of age groups and interests, were another thing that truly pleased me. The museum does a good job of ensuring that history is understandable and fun for everyone, whether it be through an interesting multimedia presentation about the Assyrian Empire or interactive games for kids.

For their expertise and helpfulness, the workers at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations also merit special attention. They made for a very educational experience by being more than happy to answer any queries and offer further details on the displays.

In conclusion, although if the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations was not initially on my list of places to go, I am glad that I had the chance to do so. The museum is a must-visit location for anybody travelling to Ankara thanks to its well-organized layout, varied collection of artefacts, fun interactive features, and informed personnel. I'd highly recommend making time to visit this fascinating museum, whether you're a history enthusiast or just seeking for something to do for...

Anatolian Civilizations Museum, which has been home to the original works of Anatolian lands since the Paleolithic Age, consists of two historical buildings. These are the Mahmutpaşa Bedesten and Kurşunlu Han, which are Ottoman period buildings. Restored and renovated in 2014, this museum offers you a journey into history with virtual tours, animations, and T-shaped replicas and artifacts in Göbeklitepe.

From the Roman bath to the museum, the story of Ankara's first museum dates back to 1921. Hittite artifacts began to be collected from all over the country with the idea of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to establish an Eti Museum in the center. The Cultural Director of the period, Galip Bey, took the first step by transforming the Akkale Bastion of Ankara Castle, the Temple of Augustus and the Roman Bath into a museum. When the limited area of Akkale was not enough, the restoration of the idle Mahmutpaşa Bedesteni and Kurşunlu Han near Ankara Castle was started. The restoration, which started in 1938, was completed in 1968. While the buildings were being repaired, the middle part of the covered bazaar was opened to visitors in 1943. It sheds light on the history of Anatolia. In the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which was selected as the "Museum of the Year in Europe" in 1997 and is one of the few museums in the world with unique collections, the artifacts are exhibited in chronologically separated sections. In the upper hall, there are Paleolithic Age, Chalcolithic Age, Old Bronze Age, Assyrian Trade Colonies Age, Old Hittite, and Hittite Imperial Age, Phrygian Kingdom, Late Hittite Kingdom, Urartu Kingdom, and in the lower hall, Ankara through the Ages and Classical Ages sections are located. While you arrived at it, you can climb to the top of Ankara Castle and watch the birds fly over the city, and you can also visit the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in the region. You can sip your drink and have your breakfast against the view at the And Cafe in a historical building in Kaleiçi. In the evening, you can attend the concerts at the Erimtan Archeology and Art Museum in...