A port city on the southern coast of Turkey, Antalya purged the last shivers from the rainy evening in Guzelyurt two nights prior. While the area has plenty of historical significance – you know… founded by the Romans almost 2000 years ago – its Mediterranean beaches are turning the city into a resort destination.
The promise of downtime had great appeal. After a series of many busy days, we unwound with a trip to the hamam (detailed here) and indulged in a low-key cruise in the Mediterranean. The weather was excellent, the water warm. For much of an afternoon the biggest decision was to continue reading our books or go for a swim.
Despite all that we saw in Antalya, the one regret is that we did not get out to see the Roman theatre in Aspendos – just outside of Antalya. I heard that it is wonderful and well worth the trip. Could we have gone independently? Of course. The challenge was finding the energy. We were very tired and – truth be told – I would not exchange anything we did in Antalya in order to make it to Aspendos. I guess we just have to go back.
Antalya Archeological Museum
An absolutely stunning museum. The Antalya Archeological Museum was an excellent compliment to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. While encompassing the entire history of the region, the jewels in this collection are the Roman statues and friezes. I marvel at the skill of the artist that gives cold, solid stone the illusion of warmth and fluidity. Sitting quietly on the cold marble floor, contemporary and future artists sketch quietly – recreating these amazing works in their drawing tablet.
The gallery walls have bold, exciting colors. While still impressive, the sculptures would not have been nearly as exciting in a museum with plain white walls. The dark blues and vibrant reds made the collection alive and exciting. The spotlights brought out the detail of each piece. (Astute observers will note this is not a skill I bring to web design.)
Over time, many museums and sites will run together and become an indistinct blur in the memory. This museum stands out for all the good reasons. Visit this museum if you get the chance.
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