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History · Adana, Adana

Adana Archaeology Museum (Adana Arkeoloji Müzesi)

  • EraMulti-period (Neolithic to Byzantine)
  • AdmissionApprox ₺150 (approx $3.20); Müzekart accepted
  • HoursClosed Mon; Apr-Oct 08:30-19:00, Nov-Mar 08:30-17:30

Adana Archaeology Museum (Adana Arkeoloji Müzesi) holds one of the most significant collections of ancient artefacts in Turkey's Mediterranean south, representing the full cultural sequence of the Cilician plain from the Neolithic period through the Byzantine era. The museum is housed in a purpose-built facility on Döşeme street in the Seyhan district of Adana, constructed in 1972 and expanded in subsequent decades to accommodate growing finds from regional excavations. The permanent collection is organised chronologically across multiple galleries.

A major regional archaeology museum in central Seyhan, Adana, displaying artefacts from Neolithic to Byzantine periods recovered from excavations across the Adana, Osmaniye, and Mersin provinces.

Adana Archaeology Museum (Adana Arkeoloji Müzesi) holds one of the most significant collections of ancient artefacts in Turkey's Mediterranean south, representing the full cultural sequence of the Cilician plain from the Neolithic period through the Byzantine era. The museum is housed in a purpose-built facility on Döşeme street in the Seyhan district of Adana, constructed in 1972 and expanded in subsequent decades to accommodate growing finds from regional excavations. The permanent collection is organised chronologically across multiple galleries. The prehistoric and Bronze Age halls display finds from Chalcolithic and Hittite-period settlements on the Cilician plain, including terracotta figurines, ceramic vessels, and early metalwork. The Iron Age and Neo-Hittite galleries contain carved orthostats, cuneiform tablets, and seal impressions recovered from sites across Adana, Osmaniye, and Mersin provinces. A dedicated Roman hall covers the material culture of Antioch on the Sarus (ancient Adana), Anazarbus (Anavarza), and Tarsus, with marble portrait sculptures, sarcophagi bearing mythological relief panels, coins, glass vessels, and bronze objects. Notable pieces include Roman sarcophagi carved with Dionysiac scenes, Hittite seal assemblages, and Byzantine gold jewellery from Cilician sites. The coin collection traces monetary circulation from the Persian satrapy period through late Roman coinage. An outdoor lapidary garden displays large architectural elements — columns, capitals, statue bases, and inscribed limestone blocks — that cannot be accommodated indoors. A modernisation of the display cases introduced bilingual Turkish-English labelling for major pieces, though secondary objects in storage-style cabinets retain Turkish-only labels. The Müzekart national museum card is accepted at the ticket desk. The museum is closed on Mondays; summer hours extend until 19:00 from April through October.

Location

Döşeme, 42. Sk. No:7, 01130 Seyhan/Adana, Turkey

37.0035, 35.3210 View on map

Highlights

  • Roman marble sarcophagi with Dionysiac mythological relief panels from Cilician plain excavations
  • Neo-Hittite carved orthostats and cuneiform tablets from Adana and Osmaniye provinces
  • Outdoor lapidary garden displaying large Roman and Byzantine architectural fragments
  • Coin collection tracing monetary history from Persian-period Cilicia to Byzantine coinage
  • Comprehensive regional sequence from Neolithic to Byzantine — one of southern Turkey's leading collections

Tips for visiting

  • Start in the prehistoric and Bronze Age halls on the ground floor and follow the chronological route to the Roman galleries
  • Allow 10–15 minutes for the outdoor lapidary garden, where large architectural pieces are often overlooked
  • Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid school groups that arrive mid-week
  • The Müzekart national museum pass covers admission; consider purchasing one if planning multiple museum visits in Adana
  • Closed on Mondays; summer hours extend to 19:00 from April through October

Accessibility

The main entrance has a ramped access lane alongside the entrance steps. Ground-floor galleries are wheelchair accessible; upper galleries are reachable by a lift installed during a renovation programme. Audio guides and tactile materials are not currently offered.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Adana Archaeology Museum English-language friendly?

Major exhibits have bilingual Turkish-English labels following a modernisation of the displays. Some secondary cases are Turkish-only; a printed English guide is available at the entrance desk.

How long does a full visit take?

A comprehensive visit covering all permanent galleries and the outdoor lapidary garden takes approximately 2–2.5 hours.

Can children visit the museum comfortably?

Yes. The large sarcophagi, mosaic panels, and outdoor sculpture garden engage younger visitors. There is no dedicated children's programme, but the chronological layout is easy to follow.

Is the Müzekart accepted?

Yes. The Müzekart national museum pass covers full admission and is accepted at the ticket desk.