The Sivas Archaeology Museum, located in an old Industrial School building on Rahmi Günay Street, exhibits archaeological artifacts ranging from 9-million-year-old fossils to Hittite tablets and Roman-era sarcophagi.
The building was not originally designed as a museum. It was constructed as an Industrial School between 1896-1899 under the order of Governor Reşit Akif Pasha, and in 1911, it was converted into a Blacksmithing and Carpentry Workshop. After remaining vacant for a period following the Republic, the structure was renovated by the Sivas Governorship Special Provincial Administration between 2005-2007 and opened as the Sivas Archaeology Museum on April 29, 2009.
The most striking piece of the collection is not old enough to give the museum its name: Late Miocene animal fossils, dating back 9 million years, found during the Haliminhanı-Haymanlı excavation. In addition, archaeological finds ranging from the Chalcolithic Age to the Ottoman period are exhibited. There are artifacts from the ancient cities of Kuşaklı-Sarissa and Kayalıpınar (Samuha), Hittite tablets, seal impressions, and terracotta pots. In the gold artifacts display case, there are Urartian, Roman, and Byzantine period jewelry, and a Hittite seal ring made of pure gold. A Roman-era sarcophagus belonging to a woman and her baby, unearthed from Kayalıpınar, is also among the notable pieces of the collection. Furthermore, the statue of Osman Gazi, made in 1916 and considered the first monumental sculpture of the Ottoman period, was moved to the museum in 1943.
The museum is explored in a single-story archaeological hall with a chronological arrangement. It is not a large structure, so the visit does not take long, but the content is rich. Since it is a 10-15 minute walk from Cumhuriyet Square, it can be easily added to the itinerary when exploring the city center of Sivas.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital.
Guide's Note
When to Visit?
Since the museum is an indoor venue, it can be visited throughout the year. As Sivas winters are long and cold, if you plan other outdoor excursions in the city, it is more comfortable to choose spring or autumn months. The museum is closed on Mondays, so note this in advance. The ticket office closes at 16:30; if you plan to go late in the afternoon, be inside before 16:00.
How to Get There?
The museum is a 10-15 minute walk from Sivas Cumhuriyet Square, located on Rahmi Günay Street. If you are staying in the city center, walking is the most practical way. If you are coming from outside the city, you can reach it quickly by city taxi from the bus terminal or train station.
Location in the City
The museum building is also close to other important stops in Sivas, such as the Sivas Congress Building and the Atatürk Congress Museum. It can be easily included in your itinerary when exploring the area around Cumhuriyet Square. Sivas's Seljuk structures, the Double Minaret Madrasa and the Gök Madrasa, can also be considered within walking distance.
How Long Does the Visit Take?
Although the building has three floors, the exhibition area is not large; an average of 1-1.5 hours is sufficient. If you want to read the information labels of the artifacts, especially in the fossil and Hittite tablet sections, and examine them for a while, the duration can extend up to 2 hours.
Suggested Itinerary
Consider it as part of a one-day city tour in Sivas. In the morning, you can visit the Double Minaret Madrasa and the Gök Madrasa, then walk to the Archaeology Museum via Cumhuriyet Square towards noon. On the same day, you can also add the Sivas Congress Building to your itinerary, as all are located close to each other in the city center.
Budget and Fees
There is no clear consistency regarding fees among sources. While some official lists mention a small entrance fee and Müzekart validity, some local sources state that the museum is free. It is certain that Müzekart is valid for Turkish citizens. We recommend confirming the current fee information via muze.gov.tr or by calling the museum (0346 221 04 46) before your visit.
Things to Note
The museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit day accordingly. Since the building was converted from an old school structure, there are stairs and floor transitions; navigating with a wheelchair or stroller might be difficult. It is recommended to ask the staff at the entrance if there are any restrictions regarding photography.
Sivas Archaeology Museum Videos
Sivas Archaeology Museum videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated:
