Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Archaeological museum in Atpazarı area, Ankara, Turkey.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is an archaeological museum in Ankara, housed in two 15th-century Ottoman buildings, the Mahmut Paşa bazaar warehouse and the Kurşunlu Han, below the castle walls. The collections span several rooms arranged by period, showing finds from the Stone Age through the Iron Age.
Mübarek Galip Bey established the first collection on the castle grounds in 1921 and later moved it to the old caravanserais, which have served as the museum since 1938. The buildings were adapted during restoration to accommodate the new function, and the collection grew to include finds from across Turkey.
Visitors see tools from the Paleolithic era, Hittite reliefs, Phrygian grave goods, and a collection of Assyrian clay tablets laid out in display cases. The halls follow a chronological sequence that traces the evolution of settlements and techniques across the Anatolian plateau.
The museum opens daily and provides information panels in several languages as well as guided tours. The rooms are mostly level and well lit, making the visit easier for people with limited mobility.
The collection preserves a bull-shaped vessel from the Hittite period and cuneiform tablets containing diplomatic correspondence between the rulers of Egypt and the Hittites. These clay tablets provide evidence of international relations in the second millennium before the common era.
Location: Altındağ
Inception: 1921
Official opening: 1943
Address: Gözcü Sokak
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday
Phone: 03123243160/61
Email: anmedmuz@gmail.com
Website: http://anadolumedeniyetlerimuzesi.gov.tr
GPS coordinates: 39.93833,32.86194
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, features evidence of twenty-five centuries of history. The Ankara Citadel overlooks the city from its hill at 978 meters above sea level, with 16-meter-high stone walls. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations occupies a 15th-century Ottoman caravanserai and displays archaeological collections from the Paleolithic to the classical era. Atatürk’s mausoleum, built in 1953, exhibits personal items and documents of the founder of the Turkish Republic in its 3,000 m² museum. Roman remains include the Augusteum from the first century BC, decorated with Latin and Greek inscriptions, as well as the Roman Baths from the third century. Religious landmarks reflect different periods: the Hacı Bayram Mosque from 1427 retains its marble decorations and Ottoman calligraphy, while the Kocatepe Mosque, completed in 1987, can hold up to 24,000 people. The Ethnographic Museum displays costumes, carpets, and musical instruments from Turkish regions, completing a journey through the cultures and civilizations that shaped this Anatolian city.
Ankara Castle
461 m
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum House
681 m
Ankara State Theatre
742 m
Gemälde- und Skulpturenmuseum von Ankara
768 m
Aslanhane Mosque
357 m
Rahmi M. Koc Museum Ankara
179 m
Suluhan
345 m
Ankara Clock Tower
145 m
St. Theresa of Lisieux Church
339 m
Ankara Synagogue
339 m
Kurşunlu Han
50 m
II. Evkaf Apartmanı
742 m
Çengel Han
197 m
Melike Hatun Mosque
587 m
Erimtan Museum
100 m
Ziraat Bank Museum
678 m
Hasan Fehmi Ataç Apartment
235 m
Zincirli Mosque
629 m
Çukur Han
152 m
Stamp Museum
664 m
Erzurumlu Nafiz Bey Apartment
207 m
Karacabey Hamamı
591 m
Foundation Works Museum of Ankara
668 m
Abdülkadir İsfahani Masjid
473 m
Hacettepe Art Museum
721 m
Akkale
493 m
Mithat Paşa Anıtı
686 m
Nursultan Nazarbayev Monument, Ankara
722 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes