Introduction to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations sits in Ankara’s old district of Ulus, just below the Ankara Castle. It is Turkey’s leading archaeological museum. The collection spans from the Paleolithic Age to the times of the Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans.
In 1997, it received the title of European Museum of the Year. This honor reflects its exceptional curation and global importance. For travelers exploring Turkey’s deep cultural roots, this museum is essential. Inside, Hittite sun discs, Phrygian carvings, and Roman statues tell the story of Anatolia’s earliest ancestors.
From Ottoman Bazaar to National Treasure
The collection is housed in two Ottoman-era buildings — the Mahmut Paşa Bedesteni and the Kurşunlu Han. The first was a covered bazaar; the second, a traveler’s inn. Both date to the late 15th century. As you move through the exhibits, the high stone domes and arches recall the days when merchants traded goods from all over Anatolia.
In the 1930s, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, chose this site for his vision of a Hittite Museum. Restoration began soon after and continued for decades. The project transformed the old bazaar and inn into what we now know as the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Walking inside feels like entering history twice — first the Ottoman era through the architecture, then the ancient world through the artifacts.
The museum’s rebirth from a busy Ottoman market into a hall of antiquities tells a story of preservation and pride. Its place in Ankara’s historic center carries a message: the Turkish Republic honors not only the Ottoman and Islamic eras but also every ancient civilization that flourished on Anatolian soil.
One artifact captures this spirit — the Hittite sun disc, a Bronze Age symbol found at Alacahöyük. It was adopted as Ankara’s city emblem in the 1970s and still reflects how deeply this heritage shapes Turkish identity. Each stone and artifact here is both a relic of the past and a foundation of living culture.
Treasures Spanning 10,000 Years: Exhibit Highlights
Once inside, prepare for a journey through time. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations follows a chronological layout. It guides visitors step by step through thousands of years of Anatolian history. Clear Turkish and English signage connects each gallery. Each one focuses on a single era or kingdom. Many travelers are amazed by the variety inside. You’ll see Ice Age tools, Neolithic figures, Iron Age tomb treasures, and Roman marble busts. Each room feels like a new chapter in the story of civilization.
Stone Age & Neolithic
The adventure begins in the Stone Age. Simple Paleolithic tools from caves near Antalya introduce the dawn of human creativity. Then come discoveries from Göbekli Tepe (around 9000 BCE), the world’s oldest temple, and from Çatalhöyük (7000 BCE), one of the earliest known cities. The wall paintings from Çatalhöyük are unforgettable. They vividly depict fertility and daily life from 8,000 years ago.
Bronze Age
Next come the Bronze Age treasures from the Hittite and Hattian periods (2500–1200 BCE). The highlight is the Hattian sun discs from royal tombs in Alacahöyük (around 2400 BCE). These bronze masterpieces show stags and geometric designs. Nearby displays feature gold jewelry, ceremonial vessels, and cuneiform tablets from Kültepe, offering a glimpse into the birth of writing and trade in Anatolia.
Iron Age Kingdoms
The next rooms explore the Iron Age kingdoms of Phrygia and Urartu (1200–600 BCE). From the Phrygians, whose King Midas is legend, come bronze brooches and even wooden furniture found in tombs at Gordion. The Urartian collection from eastern Anatolia shows belts, weapons, and inscribed plates. Their craftsmanship proves how refined this civilization was — rivaling Assyria.
Classical & Roman Era
The lower halls focus on the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Here you’ll find marble statues of emperors, Roman mosaics, and ancient coins. Artifacts from old Ancyra (modern Ankara) connect the city to its classical roots. One highlight is the inscription from the Temple of Augustus, which records the emperor’s achievements — a direct link between ancient Anatolia and modern Turkey’s capital.
Walking through the galleries, it’s easy to feel awe and connection. Artifacts are displayed in context, not locked behind glass. Photo murals and life-size dioramas bring their stories to life. In the Neolithic room, a replica of a Çatalhöyük wall painted with a red bull scene captures a moment from 7000 BCE. In the Hittite hall, stone reliefs and lions stand tall, just as they once guarded the gates of Hattusa. Visitors often describe a deep emotional impact. They realize that art, faith, and technology thrived in Anatolia long before Greece or Rome. By the time you leave, you’ll carry not just knowledge but a deeper appreciation for humanity’s shared past.
Exploring Ankara’s Historic Quarter
One of the joys of visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is its setting in the Kale (Castle) district – a historic neighborhood that invites exploration. After exploring the museum, you can step outside and keep traveling through time in the surrounding streets.
Ankara Castle (Kale)
Wander the ancient fortress, climb its watchtowers, and enjoy 360° views of Ankara. The castle’s inner alleys are lined with artisans’ shops and cafés in restored Ottoman houses – perfect for picking up a handcrafted souvenir or sipping tea with a view.
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Just outside the castle walls, this industrial technology museum (set in another historic caravanserai) showcases vintage cars, locomotives, and scientific instruments. It’s an unexpected treat, especially for families, blending nostalgia with local history.
Erimtan Archaeology & Art Museum
Almost adjacent to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, this private museum features an elegant collection of ancient jewelry, coins, and artifacts. They often host evening classical music concerts in their courtyard – an unforgettable way to end a day of sightseeing if your visit aligns with their schedule.
Local Cafés & Bazaars
As you wander the cobbled streets of Ulus, you’ll find antique shops and cozy cafés tucked in historic buildings. One popular spot is And Café, housed in a renovated inn, where you can relax over a Turkish coffee or a traditional breakfast while gazing at the castle walls. Soak in the atmosphere – hear the call to prayer echo off stone alleys – and reflect on the history you’ve just witnessed.
Embrace Anatolia’s Story with Expert Guidance
A visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is more than a checklist item – it’s often the emotional high point of a trip to Ankara. Standing before 4,000-year-old artifacts, you can’t help but imagine the lives of those who crafted them: the Hittite scribe carving a law tablet, the Phrygian artisan forging a golden brooch, the Neolithic painter adorning a mud-brick wall.
This museum connects you with those people across the millennia. As a travel agency deeply passionate about Turkey’s heritage, we believe experiences like this are best enjoyed with rich context and local insight.
Consider joining a guided tour or allowing us to arrange an expert archaeologist guide for your Ankara visit – having stories and anecdotes woven into your walk through the galleries can transform an interesting museum visit into an unforgettable journey through time.
Interested in visiting? Contact us to learn more about our private guided tours in Ankara and across Türkiye – we’ll make sure you experience the magic of places like the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in a personal, meaningful way.
