Archaeological site:
This article has been previously published as a part of book Around Ephesus and Kusadasi: TAN Travel Guide by Izabela Miszczak
Miletus Museum is a small but very attractive venue. In 2011, it was finally reopened after a long renovation, in a new building after many years of closure. It was worth the wait - here one can admire not only the exhibits found in the area of the ancient city of Miletus but also from Priene and Didyma. What's more, the museum is well-prepared for visitors, as there are information boards and plans, described not only in Turkish but also in English.
Sightseeing
The exhibits displayed in the museum are presented in accordance with their age and the place of origin. Most objects, naturally, come from the Miletus. The oldest items from this location date back to the Minoan and Mycenaean periods, when Miletus kept close contact with Crete and Greece. Most of the objects are dated to the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman times. Among the objects, there are terracotta figurines, ceramics, and jewellery - exquisite gold pendants, necklaces, and rings. One can also admire numerous statues, including river god Meander in repose, taken from the Baths of Faustina.
This part of the museum collection is complemented by the exhibits from a nearby hill Zeytintepe, which was a sanctuary of the goddess Aphrodite. There are also objects from Kazartepe - the necropolis from the Hellenistic and Roman times, located south of Miletus.
A significant part of the museum space is occupied by the finds from Priene, including statues, ceramics, lamps, and the fragments of the Temple of Athena. The exhibits from Didyma are mainly the statues from the Sacred Way that linked this sanctuary with Miletus.
Getting there:
Currently, there is virtually no possibility of reaching Miletus with public transport. However, you can take advantage of organized trips, known as PMD or Priene-Miletus-Didyma, during which you will be able to visit all three places in just one day.
By car: from the main roads of the region i.e. İzmir-Aydın highway take an exit at Germencik and go in the direction of Söke. There are two access roads from Söke to Miletus. The shorter but slower one goes through Güllübahçe (with the ruins of Priene) and Atburgazı, through the lovely area of Büyük Menderes River delta. The distance from Söke is 38 kilometers. Slightly longer (41 km), but faster route from Söke to Miletus leads through Sarıkemer, and in Akköy it connects with the route through Güllübahçe.
If you choose Söke as a starting point, it is possible to make a loop using the above routes and visit Priene, Miletus, and Didyma duirng one tour.
From the east (from Milas) the road to Miletus leads around Lake Bafa, and the distance is 74 km.
Visitor tips:
Miletus Museum is open daily, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm in summer, and from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm in winter. The admission fee is 5 TL. Remember that you still need to buy a separate ticket to visit the ruins of Miletus.
There is a small car park next to the museum, and it is free of charge. It is possible to leave a car there, and walk to Miletus ruins, passing a historical Ilyas Bey Mosque on the way.
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Comments
Miletus Museum
Submitted by Philiphawkins on
An excellent museum, with the artefacts beautifully displayed and carefully explained. A wonderful addition to Turkey's many other archaeological museums, both big and small.