Known for its natural beauty and quality facilities, the city is also a leading destination in cultural tourism due to its rich historical heritage.
In this region, where extensive archaeological work is carried out to uncover, preserve, and restore cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism supports excavation projects in cooperation with Turkish and foreign scientific teams and museum departments.
Candemir Zoroğlu, the Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, stated that 2024 has been a productive year for archaeological work in Antalya. He noted that important projects were carried out under the "Legacy for the Future" initiative, with intensive excavation, restoration, maintenance, and arrangements taking place in many ancient cities, including Side, Syedra, Sillyon, Olympos, and Phaselis.
Zoroğlu emphasized that 28 sites were worked on last year, including 3 underwater and 25 areas under Presidential Decree. These projects included excavations, restorations, and promotional efforts in collaboration with the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and the Governorate.
Zoroğlu also expressed the aim to make Antalya the capital of sustainable tourism, stating that 500 million Turkish liras were allocated by the Ministry for archaeological excavations in 2024 alone, setting a new record.
He added that 886 artifacts discovered during the excavations were added to museum inventories, with 527 housed in the Side Museum and the rest in the Antalya Archaeology, Alanya, and Demre museums.
He highlighted that the excavations revealed high-quality and valuable artifacts, such as millefiori glass decoration panels from Myra-Andriake, rare cultural artifacts of exceptional quality. Additionally, significant findings were made in Phaselis, including a remarkable discovery on Harbor Street, which has changed the historical perspective of the Mediterranean region.
Zoroğlu explained that the findings in Phaselis included an altar dedicated to Apollo and small votive statues.
In Side, significant excavation, restoration, and environmental arrangements were made, with the Side Museum now open to visitors and displaying newly arranged artifacts. Valuable mosaics were found in Syedra, Alanya, and 2-3 almost intact olive oil workshops are currently under study. A valuable sarcophagus was also discovered inside the St. Nicholas Church. Zoroğlu further noted that important findings, such as a mosaic depicting the mythological muse Calliope in Side and 2,000-year-old Zeus and Aphrodite statues from Aspendos, are among the key discoveries shaping history. He emphasized that the region has a vast cultural heritage, and comprehensive works in the city will continue this year.
Valuable mosaics were found in Syedra, Alanya, and 2-3 almost intact olive oil workshops are currently under study.
A valuable sarcophagus was also discovered inside the St. Nicholas Church. Zoroğlu further noted that important findings, such as a mosaic depicting the mythological muse Calliope in Side and 2,000-year-old Zeus and Aphrodite statues from Aspendos, are among the key discoveries shaping history.
He emphasized that the region has a vast cultural heritage, and comprehensive works in the city will continue this year.
