Modern architecture is nestled in places without monuments to preserve what belongs to ancient civilizations – pH๏τo: The Museum H๏τel Antakya
Up to now, after 10 years of excavation and construction, archaeologists and engineers have collected countless precious artifacts from 13 different civilizations that existed in Turkey 2,000 years ago.
The story began in 2009, when the H๏τel project was started on a land area of about 200,000 m2 in the center of Antioch (a city with a history dating back to the 4th century AD).
An excavated wall belonging to the ancient city – pH๏τo: The Museum H๏τel Antakya
Map of the site with the yellow part being the main building of the H๏τel, the red notes are where the most relics are gathered – pH๏τo: The Museum H๏τel Antakya
From the basement, workers discovered strange ruins like antiquities under the site. Scientists were invited. The archaeological excavation continued to expand as other ruins continued to be discovered in the site.
The remains of 13 ancient and mysterious civilizations were continuously revealed as archaeologists and workers carefully dug further. The most notable is a great stone labyrinth of the late Roman period, bearing traces of ancient Mediterranean culture, when Latin, Greek and Aramaic speakers came here to trade gold, spices and religious exchanges. In addition, there are overlapping traces of prosperous ancient cities that were once located here.
Beautiful stone art floor – pH๏τo: The Museum H๏τel Antakya
PH๏τo: The Museum H๏τel Antakya
The entire area contains such vast relics that if the owner wanted to preserve them, the luxury H๏τel design that he dreamed of was no longer feasible. However, the businessman decided to “play big” by accompanying archaeologists, spending 3 years to create a new design that would not harm ancient history.
The architectural firm Emre Arolat Architecture, the H๏τel’s construction unit, and archaeologists identified an area with no relics on the land, which was the former location of the dry Parmenius riverbed. That is where the main area of the H๏τel was built. Taking advantage of some other land with no relics, the Antakya Museum H๏τel was built with a rare combination, where visitors can both relax and visit the ancient architecture that is preserved intact.
After a decade of both archaeology and construction, the Antakya Museum H๏τel has just opened to welcome guests.