GAZIANTEP (ZEUGMA), TURKEY - APRIL 20, 2018: Zeugma Mosaic Museum; Shutterstock ID 1815031094; full: 65050; gl: 65050; netsuite: POI; your: Erin Lenczycki
1815031094

© Muratart/Shutterstock

Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Top choice in Gaziantep


This museum does a stellar job of displaying one of the world's most important mosaic collections, most of which was unearthed at the Roman site of Belkıs-Zeugma and brought to safety before the Birecik Dam flooded much of the site forever. Its most famous exhibit is the 'Gypsy Girl', which gets its own darkened room – dramatically highlighting the small mosaic's beauty. Equally impressive though are the huge floor mosaics, displayed between columns and wall-fresco segments, also brought from the site.

In particular, don't miss the 'Eros and Psykhe' mosaic downstairs and 'The Kidnapping of Europe' and 'Woman at Breakfast' mosaics upstairs. After viewing the upstairs floor exhibits, take the exterior walkway across to the second building for more mosaics unearthed from the local region.

To walk to the museum, follow the underpass on the left of the railway station, continue under the busy main highway, turn right, and then walk on for about 400m and you'll see the museum on the opposite side of the road. Unfortunately, a fence running along the road's traffic barrier stops you from crossing the road. You need to head another 200m to the tatty pedestrian overpass to cross and then double-back to the museum. A taxi from central Gaziantep should be around ₺18.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gaziantep attractions

1. Gaziantep Archaeological Museum

0.57 MILES

Gaziantep's archaeological museum houses a solid collection that sweeps from prehistoric fossils right up to the Byzantine era, but really comes alive in…

2. Gaziantep Castle

0.6 MILES

Thought to have been constructed by the Romans, the citadel was restored by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and rebuilt extensively by the Seljuks in…

4. Hamam Museum

0.62 MILES

One of the most interesting of Gaziantep's cache of small, speciality museums, this museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Turkish bath…

5. Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum

0.65 MILES

This small museum provides both information and inspiration for exploring Gaziantep's unique culinary traditions. English-language translations are key…

6. Zincirli Bedesten

0.8 MILES

Restored to its former glory (having been destroyed by fire in the 1950s), this vaulted-ceiling bedesten (warehouse) now houses tourist-orientated stores…

7. Alaüddevle Cami

0.81 MILES

This 15th-century mosque has been finely restored. Of particular note, it has an interesting baroque-style mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca…

8. Bakırcılar Çarşısı

0.85 MILES

Gaziantep's labyrinthine bazaar stretches between Hamdi Kutler Caddesi and Kundaracılar Çarşısı Sokak. There are a couple of entrances so just dive in and…