Walking through the streets of Hatay, you encounter two different times: the traces of the devastating 2023 earthquake and the spirit of an ancient city that defies millennia. The Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum is where these two times converge.
The museum was discovered by chance. In 2009, excavations for a hotel construction uncovered ancient city remains. The project was redesigned, and the area was turned into a museum, choosing to live with history rather than over it.
The museum showcases 2,300 years of history. Layers from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods follow chronologically, founded by Seleucus I, a general of Alexander the Great.
The mosaics leave the greatest impression. The world's largest single-piece floor mosaic is here - 1,050 square meters. Dating back to the 4th century, it carries traces of earthquakes and rivers.
The Pegasus mosaic, with 162 color shades, symbolizes freedom and the desire to transcend boundaries.
The myth of Apollo and Daphne takes place in the Harbiye district of Hatay. Locals still believe the waterfalls are Daphne's tears.
The 2023 earthquake destroyed the city, but the museum stood firm. The quake also revealed new archaeological finds buried for centuries.
The museum doesn't just take visitors to the past; it makes them reflect on the present. Human life is short, cities live long, but culture can last millennia.
