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Museums #12 in Sivas

Sivas Archaeological Museum

4.6 · 950 reviews
A quiet place for contemplation
Sivas Archaeological Museum, Yüceyurt, Rahmi Günay Cd., 58040 Sivas Merkez/Sivas, Türkiye
Interesting facts
1

The museum houses a unique collection of Hittite-era seals, which provide insight into administrative record-keeping of the period.

2

It displays a selection of artifacts from the nearby archaeological site of Kayalıpınar, a critical center for Hittite studies.

3

The museum includes a collection of Seljuk-era architectural elements that show the transition of design motifs in the region.

4

Several exhibited steles feature inscriptions that help linguists study local variations of ancient languages present in the Sivas area.

Overview

The Sivas Archaeological Museum holds a significant collection of artifacts spanning from the Hittite period through the Roman, Byzantine, and Seljuk eras. It is specifically recognized for housing rare regional finds, including ancient seals and diverse pottery styles discovered during excavations in the Sivas province. The collection features a notable assortment of coin hoards, reflecting the city's historical importance as a trade hub on the Silk Road. Stone carvings, funeral steles, and architectural fragments from local ruins are displayed both indoors and in the garden area. The museum provides an essential overview of Central Anatolia’s multi-layered cultural evolution. It currently functions as the primary archaeological repository for the Sivas region.

Photo spot

The central garden courtyard, which provides excellent natural light for photographing the large stone steles and architectural carvings.

Insider tips

Prioritize the outdoor stone collection, as it contains large reliefs that are often overlooked by visitors staying only in the main halls.

Check for temporary labels, as the museum frequently rotates artifacts from ongoing regional archaeological excavations.

What to avoid

Avoid rushing through the outdoor lapidarium, which contains some of the most significant heavy stone artifacts in the collection.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

Respectful attire is requested; do not touch the stone exhibits or enter restricted cordoned-off research areas.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, as the museum is quietest and allows for unobstructed viewing of smaller display cases.
Address
Sivas Archaeological Museum, Yüceyurt, Rahmi Günay Cd., 58040 Sivas Merkez/Sivas, Türkiye
39.756, 37.012
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsHittite seals, regional coin hoards, and Seljuk architectural stonework.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, as the museum is quietest and allows for unobstructed viewing of smaller display cases..

The central garden courtyard, which provides excellent natural light for photographing the large stone steles and architectural carvings.

Close by you'll find Sivas Cumhuriyet Square, Ulu Mosque, Gök Medrese.