Located in Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the world's second-largest mosaic museum with 30,000 square meters, exhibiting 3,000 square meters of mosaics and Roman-era artifacts from the ancient city of Zeugma since 2011.
The Zeugma Mosaic Museum is a cultural institution located in Gaziantep, in southeastern Turkey, housing one of the world's most comprehensive mosaic collections. It was opened to visitors in 2011 with the aim of preserving and exhibiting artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Zeugma, located in Belkıs village, Nizip district, on the banks of the Euphrates River. With a usable area of 30,000 square meters, it holds the title of the second-largest mosaic museum in the world.
The museum complex consists of three different blocks. Block A features mosaics brought from the ancient city of Zeugma, while Block B displays floor mosaics acquired from churches in and around Gaziantep. The collection includes 3,000 square meters of mosaics, 140 square meters of wall paintings (frescoes), 4 Roman fountains, 20 columns, 4 limestone sculptures, and artifacts related to the god Mars. The most renowned piece in the museum is the mosaic known as the "Gypsy Girl"; this artwork has become a symbol of Zeugma and Gaziantep over time.
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Guide's Note
The Zeugma Mosaic Museum leaves a strong impression on visitors with its comprehensive collection of Roman-era mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes. The size and craftsmanship of the artifacts are particularly noteworthy. The museum's most talked-about artwork, the Gypsy Girl Mosaic, is displayed in a special room with controlled access; this arrangement is generally well-received.
For those who want to explore the museum more efficiently, it is recommended to purchase the audio guide service sold at the entrance; otherwise, it can be difficult to grasp the historical context of the artifacts. Given the richness of the collection, it would be appropriate to allocate sufficient time for the visit.
- Lighting in the Gypsy Girl room: It is noted that the room's lighting is insufficient, making it difficult to take quality photos with a phone camera.
- Museum Card and application process: Visitors whose Museum Card has expired are reportedly required to renew it through a mandatory mobile application, and this process is time-consuming.
- Sales counter prices: There is an opinion that the sales point inside the museum is expensive.
About Zeugma Mosaic Museum
The Zeugma Mosaic Museum takes its name from the ancient city of Zeugma, located on the banks of the Euphrates River. Founded in the Hellenistic period and transformed into an important border city during the Roman Empire, Zeugma was known for its villas belonging to wealthy merchants and soldiers. The mosaics adorning the floors of these villas remained buried for centuries; they were unearthed during archaeological excavations that began in the 1990s.
When it became clear that a part of the ancient city would be submerged during the construction of the Birecik Dam, international rescue excavations accelerated, and many valuable mosaics were removed and preserved. The museum, opened in 2011, is a modern structure designed to display these artifacts under the best conditions. With an area of 30,000 square meters, Zeugma is the second-largest mosaic museum in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
When to Visit?
Since the museum is an indoor venue, it can be visited at any time of the year. Considering that Gaziantep is quite hot in the summer months, it would be wise to factor this into your planning for the time you spend in the city. Visiting the museum in the early morning and then heading to other historical sites in the city in the afternoon would be a logical choice.
April–May and September–October are the most balanced periods in terms of both climate and crowd levels. The museum can be crowded on weekday mornings due to school trips; on weekends, the number of local visitors increases. During public holidays, it's a good idea to plan your tickets or entry in advance.
How to Get There?
The Zeugma Mosaic Museum is located in the Şehitkamil district of Gaziantep. Approximately 15–20 minutes away from Gaziantep Airport, you can easily reach the museum by taxi or rental car. Public buses and minibuses also operate regular services to the museum from the city center.
If you are coming by private car, there is a large parking lot in front of the museum. For those arriving in Gaziantep by train or bus, transportation from the city center is quite easy; you can inquire about current bus routes from locals or your hotel reception.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
A superficial tour of the museum takes approximately 1–1.5 hours. For those who want to truly examine the artifacts, read information panels, and take photos, 2–3 hours is a much more realistic duration. If you wish to follow the story and mythological content of each mosaic, you can extend this time a bit more.
If you are planning only a one-day visit to Gaziantep, you can dedicate the morning to Zeugma and then visit Gaziantep Castle, Bakırcılar Bazaar, and the historical inns area in the afternoon. If you are spending two days in the city, allocating separate time for the museum offers a much more enjoyable experience.
Photo Spots
The most iconic photo spot in the museum is the Gypsy Girl mosaic. Dating back to approximately the 2nd century, this artwork, with its intense gaze and vibrant colors, is among the most photographed pieces by visitors. The lighting system inside the museum is designed to highlight the colors of the mosaics; therefore, photos taken without flash generally yield much better results.
For general shots of the large mosaic halls, the gallery balconies on the upper floors offer a good perspective. The sections with Roman fountains and columns also provide interesting compositions. Photography is generally allowed inside the museum; we recommend checking the current rules on the signs during your visit.
What to Eat, Where to Eat?
Gaziantep is considered the gastronomy capital of Turkey. Combining a museum visit with the city's cuisine adds a special meaning to the trip. It's not difficult to find well-established restaurants serving pistachio baklava, katmer, beyran soup, lahmacun, and Antep-style kebabs in the immediate vicinity of the museum and in the city center.
Restaurants in the historical bazaar area stand out for both their taste and atmosphere. Heading to the city center for lunch after completing your morning tour is both a practical and enjoyable option. We recommend spending at least one meal in a traditional establishment in Gaziantep.
Things to Know Before Visiting
The mosaics inside the museum are extremely delicate artifacts. Be careful not to stray from the designated routes in the exhibition areas. Flash photography and touching the mosaics are prohibited; locker facilities are available for large bags.
Discounted or free entry is available for teachers and students; simply bring your relevant identification documents. Although the museum is generally open every day, we recommend confirming opening hours on public holidays before your visit. There is also a cafeteria inside the museum for those who wish to take a short break during long visits.
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