Isparta Yalvaç Museum

Isparta, located in the Yalvaç district of Isparta, preserves and reveals artifacts left behind by people who lived thousands of years ago, much like a treasure chest. Have you ever wondered how people lived in ancient times? This museum is an important place where you can find answers to these questions. It houses particularly valuable artifacts from the nearby ancient city of Pisidia Antioch and other sites.

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The history of the Yalvaç Museum extends back approximately 100 years, to the early 1900s. Artifacts uncovered during excavations at the ancient city of Antioch were initially stored in a high school building. As the collection grew, they were moved to a warehouse in 1947. Construction of the current museum building began in 1963 and it opened its doors to the public in 1966. This museum is known as one of the oldest and richest in the Lake District.

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The museum displays its artifacts in two main sections: Indoor Exhibition (indoor halls) and Outdoor Exhibition (the garden). Inside, there are four distinct halls, each focusing on a different period or theme:

• Prehistoric Artifacts Hall: Here, finds from the distant past, that is, the prehistoric era, are exhibited. Have you ever seen an animal fossil from eight million years ago? Here you can view fossils of animals such as rhinoceroses and mammoths. Additionally, there are pottery vessels, axes, and small figurines (idols) of Kybele, the goddess of abundance and fertility, dating back to the Early Bronze Age.
• Classical Artifacts Hall: This hall displays artifacts primarily excavated from the ancient city of Antioch and the sacred area dedicated to the god Men, who was highly revered in that period. Inscriptions and votive offerings dedicated to Men are found here. Also on display are fragments of statues from the Roman Imperial period, including a colossal statue of Zeus dating to the 1st century CE. Marble copies of important inscriptions such as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti are also exhibited in this section. An inscription is a type of official document.
• Ethnography Hall: This section features artifacts from a more recent period, after the settlement of Turkish culture in Yalvaç. Displays include reconstructions of traditional Yalvaç house interiors, fine examples of woodwork, handicrafts, traditional clothing, weapons, and women’s jewelry. These objects provide insight into the lifestyle and tastes of people during that era.
• St. Paul Hall: This hall contains artifacts related to St. Paul, a key figure in Christianity, as well as architectural fragments and religious objects from the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) period.

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In the museum’s garden, large architectural fragments, often brought from Ancient City of Antioch, are displayed. This area resembles a park of statues and structural remains. Large artifacts such as column capitals, sarcophagi (stone or marble tombs), and gravestones are visible outdoors.