Side Museum
Side Museum in Side, Turkey
Side Museum is located in the historic part of Side, next to the ruins of the ancient city. It is dedicated to archaeological finds discovered in Side itself and its surroundings, and it helps illustrate how this stretch of coastline developed in the ancient and early Byzantine periods.
The exhibition is housed in the building of former Roman baths, so the museum is interesting not only for its collection, but also for the architecture itself. Sculptures, sarcophagi, reliefs, inscriptions, altars, amphorae, and other items found during excavations are displayed in the interior halls and in the courtyard. Many exhibits have survived only in fragments, which is typical of archaeological museums in the region.
The core of the collection consists of finds obtained during the study of ancient Side in the 20th century. These make it possible to trace features of urban life, religious beliefs, burial traditions, and art in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The collection of Roman sculpture and stone monuments is especially notable.
A visit to the museum is conveniently combined with a walk through the ancient center of Side, where the theater, colonnaded streets, and remains of ancient structures are located nearby. Before visiting, it is worth checking the opening hours, as they may change depending on the season and the current rules of museums in Turkey.
Side Museum on the map
Side Museum and the archaeological collection in the Roman baths
The exhibition helps you see the city's ancient history through excavation finds.
Archaeological collection in the building of Roman baths
In the museum, you can see stone statues of gods, emperors, and city officials, fragments of sculptures, carved sarcophagi, stone inscriptions, and elements of architectural decoration. Some of the objects are displayed in the inner courtyard, where large details and the texture of the ancient stone are more noticeable, while others are shown in enclosed halls with a more compact exhibition.
The visit usually does not take too much time, but it provides useful context before a walk through the ruins of Side. The exhibition shows what public and funerary monuments looked like, what subjects appeared in Roman sculpture, and how the ancient city was integrated into the cultural life of the eastern Mediterranean.
Near the museum are the ancient theater of Side, the agora, and the remains of ancient streets, so the route can easily be continued on foot. The museum is usually reached on foot from the center of Side or by local transport to the historic part of the city, followed by a short walk.
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Photos of the museum
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
