Hatay City Museum
Excavations in Hatay started in 1932. The mosaics, which constitute the main wealth of the museum, were unearthed with the researches carried out by Princeton University in 1932-1939. These riches are the mosaics that have been unearthed as a result of excavations in Harbiye, Narlıca, Güzelburç, Samandağ and its surroundings, the center of which is Antakya, and complete the collection. During the 1932-1939 excavations carried out in Antakya, the architectural and other finds, most of which date back to the Roman Period, revealed the richness and splendor of the city. Excavations were carried out primarily in Antakya Harbiye, and in Seleuceia Pieria in Samandag, and the rich mosaic artifact collection unearthed in the excavations is now scattered in about 20 museums and private collections around the world.
Antakya Archeology Museum, which was completed in 1939 after the work started to collect the artifacts unearthed in the excavations in one place, was opened to visitors on July 23, 1948, on the 10th anniversary of Hatay's accession to the Motherland. In order for the old museum building to not meet the needs and for the rich collection to be exhibited better; The newly built museum in Hatay was completed and opened on 28 December 2014 as the Hatay Archeology Museum.
The Exhibition Arrangement, Survey and Restoration projects prepared for the transformation of the old museum into the City Museum were approved by the Adana Cultural Heritage Preservation Regional Board. The restoration of the old Hatay Museum was completed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and it was put into service on 27.08.2020.
