Side Museum

5.0

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Level 30 Local Expert

The Side Museum is also called the Archaeological Museum or the Museum of Ancient Art. It is located on the territory of the ancient city of Side next to the arched gate and the Roman amphitheater. The museum is small, but with a very entertaining historical exposition, because the history of Side dates back to the VII century BC. The collection is located in three halls, which also represent a monument of ancient architecture — Roman baths used to be located here. The age of the building is solid, dating back to the 5th century AD. Now some rooms have received a modern overlap in order to avoid destruction, and some have remained an open-air monument. In guidebooks, the museum is often referred to as the "highlight" of Side, and this is not for nothing. All kinds of artifacts of the ancient era, found during excavations in Side, are collected under its roof. Sarcophagi, statues, bas-reliefs, amphorae, coins, ornaments, columns, elements of urban structures and much more. Archaeologists discovered the main part in 1947-1967, when excavations in Side were conducted under the guidance of archaeologist Arif Mufid Mansel. It is worth noting that not all the finds remained in Side, many artifacts were sent to the Antalya Museum. The exhibits greet the guests of the museum right at the entrance. Stones, fragments of ancient columns, stucco from the time of Roman rule, slabs with ancient inscriptions, statues of people and animals. In the garden in front of the Roman baths, there used to be a sports ground called the palaestra. Now part of the museum's open-air collection is on display, and visitors have a great opportunity to explore it while walking in the fresh air. But the main part of the exposition is inside. The first hall displays the most ancient finds: bas-reliefs from the Hellenistic period, a sundial and an ancient altar from the Roman period. Antique amphorae and medical instruments are displayed in glass cases. In the second hall, various torsos dating back to the Roman period are on display. In the third hall there are statues of three beauties and Hercules, amphorae, tombs and sarcophagi, inscriptions, coins, as well as other finds of the Hellenistic period. It is amazing how finely and filigreed the figures on the sarcophagi are depicted, as well as the faces of the statues are drawn. Even bags under the eyes and old wrinkles, folds of clothing. The skill of the sculptors of that time is fascinating! Interestingly, almost all the statues that are kept in the museum are decapitated. This is the work of local residents who were converted to Christianity by St. Paul. Christians were opposed to idolatry, so with excessive zeal and absolutely inhumane, they decided to deal with their pagan gods in this way. A unique part of the Side Museum's collection are children's sarcophagi with the image of a dog looking out of the door, which represents a grieving mother, as well as images of butterflies and swallows, which symbolize children's innocent souls. Also in the museum you can see a bronze statue of Artemis, with her left hand she holds a bow, and with her right hand she takes an arrow out of a quiver, her hair is gathered at the back of her head. Apollo's head is made of white marble, his forehead is made in the shape of a triangle, and his hair is combed back in wavy strands. Archaeological work is still underway in one part of the museum, it is located to the right of the entrance and is closed to visitors. Inside, you can take pictures and shoot, but without using a flash. There is also an air conditioner, which is especially attractive on a hot summer day. There is a souvenir shop and a cafe on the territory of the museum. There are a lot of signs in English and Turkish, so it is simply impossible to get lost. There are a lot of trees and vegetation, at the end of the part of the museum, which is located in the open air, rests on the picturesque coast. There are benches for recreation throughout the museum. The sign at the entrance is modest and inconspicuous, but do not judge by the cover, believe me, the Side Museum will not leave you indifferent, especially if you are a fan of antiquity.

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Тимур Трофимов

Level 5 Local Expert

It's nice to combine a vacation at the sea and a visit to historical sites. Especially when they are within walking distance!

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Павел Вычигин

Level 13 Local Expert

The museum itself is not bad, but when we were there it was closed.Yes, you wrote that it does not work.However, tickets to the ancient city, the fortress, the theater and the museum together are one ticket.Not separately.And the ticket price has not been reduced, although the museum is not open.

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Maria Burdinskaya

Level 12 Local Expert

There is something to see , read, listen to . A beautiful and interesting place , I was a crow once on a tour and it was interesting.

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Δημητριος

Level 19 Local Expert

For the kind of money they charge for entry, gladiators should fight and Turkish milfs should sing at this place! For information, you can climb over the fence, a little further than the arch and enter this amphitheater for free. But you'll have to climb the walls

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Станислав

Level 10 Local Expert

I recommend a very good museum if you want to know the hinterland of history. It's worth a trip and a visit

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Янка Я.

Level 14 Local Expert

It is a very beautiful and cozy place. The museum itself is small. The ticket is sold amphitheater + museum, valid for 72 hours, costs 350 lira. There is a toilet on site.

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марат ш

Level 11 Local Expert

If you arrived by car - there is a minibus "steam train" from the parking lot - you can drive it straight to the center of historical excavations. I advise you to leave early in order to take a full walk around this historical place. You can take bathing accessories with you - you can swim. In the evening there is a beautiful sunset on the shore

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татьяна тау

Level 10 Local Expert

The open-air museum is fascinating , there is still a lot of work to be done to restore it. I really liked it! You have to see it all for yourself

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veralen

Level 30 Local Expert

Лучший музей Турции под открытым небом. Цены пока муниципальные, а значит билет за вход не очень дорогой. Поразило огромное количество экспонатов времен античности. В Крыму намедни две античные головы нашли в плохонькой сохранности - сенсация, а здесь их просто некуда складывать. Обязательно к посещению.

Alexandr M

Level 12 Local Expert

Well, a museum is like a museum. The location is great, on the seashore. The museum itself is for 4 people, quite small. Once to visit, if you are resting in Side is worth it!

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Александр Яхнин

Level 8 Local Expert

Был в музее в 2018. Сейчас стало гораздо приятнее. Сделали залы с кондиционированием. Статую раньше стояли в навалку довольно хаотично. Сейчас приятно погулять. Да и где вы еще сможете осмотреть без ограждений и потрогать скульптуры римского периода.

Александра Т.

Level 8 Local Expert

The museum is very small: three halls + a courtyard. Very poor descriptions of the exhibits. If you are "out of touch", it looks like just old ruins. The potential is huge, but no one seems to care. Price for October 2023: 130 liras (~500 rubles) per person.

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Георгий Дзима

Level 4 Local Expert

I touched the story perfectly, but it's hot

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Мария

Level 27 Local Expert

Only the museum is open, but they charge the full ticket price of 17 euros or 650 lira(!). Everything is closed for reconstruction, they do not talk about it at the box office, the price is not reduced. Divorce for money

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Алиш Илясович

Level 10 Local Expert

Super antique city, but exactly for a day, there is nothing more to do here 👀 well done for continuing the excavation of the city further ✊🏻

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Павел Сюр

Level 4 Local Expert

It's very beautiful, but it takes a long time to walk

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Андрей Миронов

Level 11 Local Expert

A very modest museum. A small exposition. Entrance fee is only in lira.

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Гузель

Level 8 Local Expert

The scale is mesmerizing

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Валли Фишер

Level 8 Local Expert

Small, but interesting! I especially liked the statue of Hercules.

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Victor S.

Level 4 Local Expert

Качество античных скульптур невероятное,три грации настоящий шедевр.

Дмитрий Д.

Level 10 Local Expert

Территория музея не большая, экспонатов много и все они завораживают своей древностью - любителям античности обязательно для посещения. Гидов нет, экскурсии не проводятся.