Turkey's Aegean region has been home to many civilizations throughout history. While Izmir reflects the history of the region with its 16 museums, Kutahya's ceramics, Bodrum's underwater heritage and Afyonkarahisar's archeological richness are waiting for the visitors.
The first museum in the Aegean province of Izmir was founded in 1927, inside the Ayavukla Church in Basmane neighborhood.
As many artifacts unearthed in the ancient cities near the province were sent to the museum throughout years, the building could not meet the demands and the museum was moved to a new building inside Bahribaba Park in 1984.
Ceramics, sculptures, glass objects and coins all brought from the historical sites around the province are currently on display in this museum.
ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM
The building of the "Ethnography Museum", a neo-classical structure built in the 19th century, was renovated by French experts in 1845 and later turned into an institution working for the poor Christian families. Turkish Culture Ministry took over the building in 1984 and rearranged it as the "Ethnography Museum".
The museum reflects scenes from the social life of Izmir and its region in the 19th century. Ethnographic works introducing different professions of the time, as well as traditional dances, clothes, decorative objects and glassware are being exhibited at the museum.
Coins, manuscripts, books and desk sets dating back to the Ottoman period can also be seen at the "Ethnography Museum".
ATATURK MUSEUM
The building was constructed as a house by an Armenian-origin merchant in the 19th century. After being used as a hotel for some time, it was purchased by Izmir Municipality and was given to Ataturk as a present.
The house where Ataturk used to stay during his visits to Izmir is now being used as "Ataturk Museum".
The museum comprises of a conference room, Ataturk's office and bedroom, guest rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and a library. Ataturk's personal belongings, sculptures, vases and oil paintings are on display in Ataturk's office.
PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES GALLERY MUSEUM
The museum was founded as "Paintings and Sculptures Gallery" in 1952, moved to a new building in 1973 and was turned into a museum afterwards.
There are 348 paintings, 31 sculptures and many ceramic works by Turkish artists, as well as a library and art ateliers in the museum.
IZMIR HISTORY AND ART MUSEUM
"The History and Art Museum" in Izmir Kulturpark was established with a protocol signed by Izmir Municipality and Culture & Tourism Ministry in 2004.
The museum has three sections on stone, ceramics and valuable objects. Artifacts unearthed in excavations conducted in Izmir and neighboring regions are currently on display at the museum.
AHMET PIRISTINA CITY ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM
"Ahmet Piristina City Archive and Museum" was opened in 2004 and it was named after Izmir's former mayor Ahmet Piristina who had exerted remarkable efforts for the establishment of such a museum. Documents introducing Izmir are being exhibited in this museum.
IZMIR TRADE HISTORY MUSEUM
Izmir Chamber of Commerce opened this museum taking into consideration that Izmir has always been an important trade center throughout history.
Ceramics, sculptures, oil lamps, seals and glass objects of different periods are on display at the museum which also introduces the commercial history of the region with photographs and sketches.
SELCUK YASAR PAINTINGS MUSEUM
This special paintings museum, established in Alsancak district in 1985, features a collection consisting of award-winning paintings as well as pieces purchased from artists. Periodical exhibitions are held at the museum's gallery.
BERGAMA MUSEUM
Bergama Museum was first established as a "storage museum" next to the German Excavation House in Bergama town in order to exhibit the artifacts unearthed in the excavations conducted at the historical site by Carl Humman and Alexander Conze between the years 1900-1913. The museum building was opened to visitors in 1936.
Numerous artifacts dating back to various eras from early Bronze Age to the Byzantine period are on display at the museum. Pieces unearthed in excavations in the region, as well as a model of the Altar of Zeus that was taken to Berlin can be seen at the museum.
Carpets, fabrics, handicrafts and firearms are also exhibited at the ethnographic artifacts section.
RAILWAYS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
The museum is a two-storey building constructed by the British in Selcuk town between the years 1856-1858. Currently administrated by the Directorate General of Railways, the museum introduces pieces related to railways such as locomotives, lamps, measurement tools, office materials and telephone and telex systems.
EPHESUS MUSEUM
Upon discovery of various historical artifacts in Selcuk town during the construction of Aydin-Izmir railway, Izmir's Director General for Railways De Larke sent a letter to the Ottoman grand vizier and asked for the establishment of a museum in order to store and protect these pieces.
Although De Larke's request could not be actualized at that time, it was later decided in 1929-1930 that a museum shall be opened in Selcuk. However, such museum was more like a storage and the "Ephesus Museum" of today was opened in 1964.
"Ephesus Museum" introduces the historical artifacts unearthed in the excavations carried out in Ephesus and its environs. Numerous statues such as the Ephesus Artemis Statue, Eros with a dolphin, Egyptian Priest Statue, the bust of Socrates, as well as jewellery, lighting materials and music instruments are on display at the museum.
The bust of Zeus, Aphrodite statue, resting warrior statue, Polyphemos statues, statues from the Augustus Temple, pieces from the Pollio fountain and Parth Memorial are some of the other significant pieces that can be seen at Ephesus.
DOLL MUSEUM
"The Doll Museum" was opened in Selcuk's Arvalya region by a teacher and his wife. Dolls, models and sculptures are exhibited at the museum which also introduces the daily life, customs and children's plays of the villages of western Anatolia.
CESME MUSEUM
Cesme Castle was constructed in the 16th century and the castle's Barbaros Tower was turned into a museum in 1965. Weapons brought from Istanbul's Topkapi Museum, as well as historical artifacts such as statues, amphoras and coins from the ancient city of Erythrai are being exhibited at "Cesme Museum". Most of the pieces on display date back to Hellenistic and Roman periods.
TIRE AND ODEMIS MUSEUMS
Studies aiming to establish a museum started in 1936 in Tire town and "Tire Museum" moved to its new building in 1971. The museum's collection mainly comprises of archeological and regional ethnographic artifacts most of which date back to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras.
"Odemis Museum" was opened to visitors in 1983. The oldest artifacts in the archeology section of the museum belong to 3000 B.C.
MUSEUMS IN KUTAHYA
Vacidiye Madrasah was turned into "Kutahya Archeology Museum" in 1965 and went through a renovation process in 1999.
Pieces belonging to Palaeolithic and Chalcolithic Ages, late Bronze Age, Hittites, Phrygians, Roman Empire, Seljuks and Ottoman period are being displayed at the museum. There a total of 37,000 artifacts at "Kutahya Archeology Museum".
The strongest of the 27 Amazon sarcophagi is currently under protection at this museum as well. The sarcophagus was unearthed near the ancient city of Aizanoi in 1990.
Moreover, the historical building known as Vahid Pasa Public Library started to be used as “Ceramics Museum” in 1999. Unique ceramic pieces dating back to the 14th century can be seen at this museum.
THE HOUSE WHERE LAJOS KOSSUTH STAYED AS A GUEST
Albanian statesman Lajos Kossuth, who took refuge in the Ottoman territory in 18th century, stayed in this house in 1850-1851 together with his companions.
During his 21-month stay in Kutahya, Kossuth prepared the draft Albanian constitution. His house was turned into a museum in 1982 and objects and photographs belonging to him are now being exhibited.
UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY IN BODRUM
“Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology” is opened inside Bodrum Castle that was built by the Knights of St. John between the years 1406 and 1523.
Uluburun Shipwreck, which is known as the oldest shipwreck in the world, is one of the most significant pieces displayed at the underwater archeology museum.
Nefertiti’s seal, amphoras, glass beads, gold jewellery and the stone anchor that were found in the shipwreck give the visitors clues about the trade in the Mediterranean. World’s oldest booklet and unique amphoras are also on display at this museum.
AFYONKARAHISAR MUSEUM
“Afyonkarahisar Museum”, officially inaugurated in 1933, was a mixed museum until 1970 and it moved to a new building in 1971.
The museum’s rich collection consists of pieces from late Bronze Age, Hittites, Phrygians, Kingdom of Lydia and Hellenistic, Roman and East Roman periods.
A total of 44,383 pieces including 13,276 archeological and 4,484 ethnographic artifacts, 26,564 coins, 26 archive labels as well as 33 manuscripts and books are displayed at Afyonkarahisar Museum.
