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Isparta Museum

Isparta Museum which was enriched with the works founded in such places as Adada, Aksu Zindan Cave- Timbriada , Göndürle Mound, being reorganized, was opened to public service.

Throughout history many civilizations like Lydia, Phrygia, Persia, Rome, Byzantine, Seljuks, Hellens, Ottomans existed on the lands of Isparta. This historical heritage has created many works most of which could not reach today or couldn not be found. Some of those which were found are exhibited in Isparta Museum.

The past of the museum dates back to 1933, a time when enlightenment movement spread all over the country in the form of Public Houses. However, upon the closure of Isparta Public House , most of the works were damaged while being carried to the storehouses. Today’s museum has a modern outlook thanks to the restoration period that took place between the years 1999-2003.

Except for the court, Isparta museum has 4 main rooms. Archeology, Treasure, Ethnography and Carpet rooms…

Archeology Room

In the enterance of the archeology room, which is the fisrt one of these four, Pisidia tombstone found in Timbriada ancient city, Aksu greets you. Reliefs of man and women on the tombstone stare at you as if they were reminding you of the hairline between life and death. Cube tombs found in the excavations in Göndürle Mound, Eurymedon statue brought from Aksu Zindan Cave- Timbriada , statue of Nike, the Roman goddes, bird-eyed and beak-mouthed earthenware jugs, idols, earthenware pots and ornaments are exhibited. The door and the bell of the Aya Yorgi Church and icons of Aya Baniya Church pertaining to the first quarter of the 18. century are also exhibited in this room.

Treasure Room

Treasure room consists of the vitrines in which coins, medallions, and tokens are exhibited. Pisidia region city coins (1.century BC- 3. century A.C), coins of the Roman Empire (30 B.C- 393-423 A.C), coins of Byzatine and Venice (5. cent. B.C.- 15. cent. A.C) are exhibited in one vitrine, while coins of Abbasides, Sasanis, Buveyhoğulları, Seljuks, Memluqs, Ilhanlı, Timur’s Empire, and Ottomans can be seen in another vitrine.

In the vitrines which are nicely illuminated, there is also a collection of Ottoman medals and tokens and coin samples published by Sultan Mahmut II. Treasures of Eğirdir which consists of 374 golden Ottoman coins and Karaağaç which consists of 468 silver Ottoman coins are among the significant findings in the collection. The second treasure metioned was found in the construction of a mosque during foundation excavations.

Ethnography Room

Ethnography room takes you to the times of your grandparents. Being a part of the Anatolian culture, Isparta’s traditions are enlivened with models in this room. While a girl is wanted to be taken away as a bride with “God’s order and the prophet’s agreement” on one side, a henna night is performed on the other side. In front of a black tent, a nomad woman is getting a dough thinner and right outside the room rose oil is produced by old methods. Gülabdans (a small flask for sprinkling rose water), balances, kitchen equipment, guns, edicts, rosaries, and garments belonging to the scond half of the 19. century and to the 20. century can be seen in the vitrines of Ethnogrphy room.

Carpet Room

Besides Isparta carpets, carpets and rugs of Uşak, Gördes, Bergama, Döşemealtı, Nevşehir, Çanakkale, Kırşehir, Kayseri, Konya and Eastern Anatolia are also exhibited in the Carpet room.

Garden

In the garden of the museum, there are historical artifacts such as Sidemara sarcophagus, Senirkent (Yassıören) tomb steles, Greek epigraphs brought from Isparta and the surrounding area. Among them the faces on the sarcophagus found in the ancient city of Adada will definitely attract your attendence.