Tarsus Museum

The New Tarsus Museum preserves and presents the rich history of Tarsus, a city that has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years. Originally, the city’s museum collection was housed in the Kubat Pasha Madrasa, built in 1557 by Kubat Pasha of the Ramazanoğulları dynasty. Converted into a museum in 1971, the madrasa served until modern needs for conservation and display outgrew its capacity.

Later, in 1998, the collection was moved to the 75th Year Cultural Center Complex, but the museum closed in July 2018 for renovations.

Transformation into the New Museum

A building completed in 1950 and used as the Tarsus Courthouse for 59 years was allocated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2013, following the construction of a new courthouse. Restoration and modern exhibition arrangements were carried out, and the New Tarsus Museum officially opened on 22 December 2020.

Collections and Exhibitions

The museum houses a total of:

· 805 archaeological artifacts

· 404 ethnographic works

· 810 coins

Archaeological Collection

Artifacts cover a wide chronological span, including:

· Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age objects

· Pieces from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Eastern Roman (Byzantine) periods

Ethnographic Collection

Exhibits highlight daily life and traditions with works from the:

· Ottoman Period

· Republican Era

Coin Collection

A rich numismatic display includes coins from:

· Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods

· Islamic dynasties: Abbasids, Umayyads, Ilkhanids, Artuqids, Seljuks, and Ottomans

· European coinage

Modern Museum Features

To align with contemporary museology standards, the New Tarsus Museum incorporates:

· Silicone mannequins, dioramas, and interactive exhibits

· Ballistroles (illustrative reconstructions) for better historical visualization

· Facilities including a masjid (prayer room), gift shop, café, baby care room, and an elevator for disabled access

Cultural Importance

The New Tarsus Museum not only safeguards Tarsus’s archaeological and ethnographic heritage but also offers visitors a modern, interactive, and inclusive museum experience. It serves as a bridge between the city’s ancient past and its vibrant present, making history accessible to both local and international visitors.

✨ Visiting the New Tarsus Museum means journeying through 10,000 years of history, from prehistoric tools to Ottoman craftsmanship.