Hasankeyf Museum in Batman is an archaeology museum located in a modern building on the dam lake shore, exhibiting thousands of artifacts from the Paleolithic to the Ottoman period, retrieved from Ilısu Dam rescue excavations; entry is 40 TL.
Hasankeyf Museum is the product of rescue excavations initiated after old Hasankeyf was submerged under the waters of the Ilısu Dam. The building was completed in 2015 and officially established as a museum directorate in 2019. The collection includes not only artifacts from Hasankeyf but also from mounds in Batman, Diyarbakır, Siirt, and Mardin. A broad chronology spanning from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Chalcolithic periods to the Bronze, Iron, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Artuqid, and Ottoman eras is exhibited, supported by touch screens and models.
The exterior of the museum is also a separate point of interest. The Zeynel Bey Tomb and Artuqid Bath, which were relocated to the Cultural Park Area (Archaeopark) on the dam lake shore to prevent them from being submerged, are situated here. Most visitors appreciate the interior, mentioning the richness of the artifacts. However, there are also complaints about the outdoor area: neglect, non-functional fountains, insufficient signage, and the unbearable combination of heat and humidity in summer are frequently mentioned. The indoor museum section is air-conditioned and cool, making at least that part comfortable during a summer visit.
Müzekart is valid for entry; otherwise, a full ticket is 40 TL, student 20 TL (2025 data, please confirm current price). Some sources state it is closed on Mondays; be sure to verify before you go.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Batman historical places, Ten-Arched State Railways Bridge (Zilek Bridge).
Guide's Note
When to Visit
Since the museum is located on the dam lake shore, humidity is a serious problem in summer. Visitors who went in August describe struggling to walk and even finding it difficult to breathe. In spring and autumn, the weather is cooler, and visiting the outdoor exhibits is much more comfortable. The indoor museum section is air-conditioned, so you can take refuge there if you get overwhelmed by the heat in summer.
How to Get There
From Batman city center to Hasankeyf, it takes 35-40 minutes by car, covering a distance of approximately 37 km. The museum is in the new settlement area where old Hasankeyf was relocated. Going by your own car is the most practical way. Public transport options are limited; you may need to inquire about minibuses going to Hasankeyf from Batman bus station.
Things to Note at the Entrance
Some visitors report difficulty finding the museum entrance, as the signs are not clear enough. You might need to drive around a few times and enter through an opening at the bottom. The exhibits in the garden are also accessed this way. Before you go, marking the location clearly on a map and, if possible, asking a local for directions will make things easier.
How Much Time to Allocate
45 minutes to 1 hour is sufficient for the indoor museum section. If you also plan to visit the outdoor Archaeopark, Zeynel Bey Tomb, and Artuqid Bath, allow a total of 2-2.5 hours. It makes sense to combine it with other points of interest in Hasankeyf, such as the castle and old settlement ruins, for a half-day plan.
For Photography
The modern museum building offers beautiful shots from its exterior, with its position overlooking the dam lake. The turquoise-tiled body of the Zeynel Bey Tomb in the Archaeopark, along with the lake view, is a prominent spot for photography. The stone artifacts and architectural pieces, the crown gate, and the interior dome decorations exhibited inside also offer interesting details for close-up shots.
What's in the Museum
The collection starts with geomorphological material and plant fossils, extending to archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, coins, tablets, and seals. Thousands of pieces from twelve different periods, from the Paleolithic to the Ottoman, are exhibited in chronological order. A frequently emphasized point in visitor comments is that the exhibitions are supported by touch screens and models. The departure from classical display case museology is well-received.
Hasankeyf Museum Videos
Hasankeyf Museum videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated:
