OZGE TEPE
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT CITY OF ZEUGMA
Zeugma Ancient City is actually a combination of two cities. Zeugma Ancient City is formed by connecting the cities of 'Selevkaya Euphrates', founded by Seleukos I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, and 'Apama', founded by his wife Apama, by a bridge in 300 BC.
The two cities are located on opposite sides of the Euphrates. Thanks to the bridge built to the cities, Zeugma acquired its current name. This city on the Silk Road, on an area of approximately 20 thousand decares, was one of the 4 largest cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, thanks to its surface area and population. In the 1st century AD, it entered the territory of the Roman Empire.
When it entered the territory of the Roman Empire, the name of the city was changed to Zeugma, meaning 'bridge, passage'. In 252, King Shapur I of the Sassanid Empire captured Zeugma from Rome, but after a while the city fell into the hands of Rome again. The city was subjected to Islamic raids after 601 and was abandoned. Between 901 and 1200, Islamic settlements began to be established here.
IMPORTANCE OF ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY
Zeugma Ancient City is very important because it hosts Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek and Semitic cultures together. With each excavation in this city, new data that sheds light on history is obtained. Zeugma's location on the Silk Road also offers great effects to Zeugma in terms of commercial development.
Today, the Ancient City of Zeugma allows us to obtain new information from ancient times with each scientific excavation.
THE ANCIENT CITY OF ZEUGMA TODAY
Zeugma, today Gaziantep It is located within the provincial borders. There are many buildings in the city that have been preserved to this day. An Agora from the Hellenistic period, the Roman Agora, two different sacred areas, a stadium, theatre, two baths, the Roman legion, the administrative buildings of the Roman legion and the necropolis are some of the structures that have survived to the present day.
Scientific excavations in the city started in 1987. These excavations are still Ankara It is maintained by the University. The mosaics unearthed from scientific excavations cover an area of approximately 2500 square meters. The unearthed mosaics were exhibited at the Gaziantep Archaeological Museum for a while. These mosaics were moved to Zeugma Mosaic Museum in 2011.
ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM
Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which has the title of being the second largest mosaic museum in the world, hosted over 3000 visitors during the first day it was open to visitors. In this respect, it is very important. This place was known as the 'World's largest mosaic museum' for 3 years since its opening on September 9, 2011. Later, this title was opened on December 28, 2014. Hatay He handed it over to the Archaeological Museum.
In the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, one of the world's leading museums with its architecture and technology, pieces of two thousand year old mosaics that have been lost over the years due to treasure hunters are completed as images with a laser system.
Here, the mosaics consist of 13 color harmonies. The museum was built in three blocks. Mosaics from Zeugma are exhibited in the museum. Especially the world-famous 'Gypsy Girl Mosaic' attracts great attention.
ZEUGMA GYPSY GIRL MOSAIC
Zeugma Gypsy Girl Mosaic was found in the Winter of 1998 - 1999. The Gypsy Girl Mosaic, found by removing the column above it as part of the 300m2 floor of a villa during the liberation of the Belkıs Ruins, was found together with the ancient city. GaziantepIt is also the symbol of.
The gender of the person who is the subject of the mosaic is a matter of debate. This mosaic is called Gypsy Girl because of its braids. The mosaic was exhibited at the Gaziantep Archeology Museum for a while. Later, it was moved to Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
The other parts of the mosaic were revealed in December 2018. AmericaIt came to Turkey from and started to be exhibited in the same museum.
BULLAS OF ZEUGMA
Bulla are prints used instead of seals in ancient times. More than 100 thousand of these bullae were found in Zeugma. Archaeologists state that this number is the largest number of bullae found in museum records. Zeugma has a world record thanks to the bullae it has.
WHERE IS THE ANCIENT CITY OF ZEUGMA? HOW TO GET TO ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY?
Zeugma Ancient City, Gaziantep It is located in Belkıs Village, within the borders of Nizip district of the province. It is possible to come here by public transportation or private vehicles coming from the city center to the district.
If you come to Gaziantep by plane, you can come to Nizip from the airport with the help of HAVAŞ, buses and taxis, or by renting a car.
WHERE IS THE ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM? HOW TO GO?
GaziantepWhile you are in and visited the Ancient City of Zeugma, you can also go to the Mosaic Museum for more historical tourism. Zeugma Mosaic Museum is located in Şehitkamil, Gaziantep. It is very easy to reach here by public transportation and private vehicles.
ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY AND ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM VISITING HOURS
ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY
Zeugma Ancient City can be visited every day of the week between 08.30 and 18.30.
ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM
Zeugma Mosaic Museum can be visited between 08.30 - 22.00 for 1 month as of August 2022.
Normal visiting hours are between 08.30 - 18.30.
ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY AND ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM ENTRANCE FEES
ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY
Zeugma Ancient City entrance fee for 2022 has been determined as 20 TL. Museum Card is required at the entrance.
ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM
Zeugma Mosaic Museum entrance fee for 2022 has been determined as 65 TL. Museum Card is also valid here. There is also an audio guide service.
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Zeugma Ancient City Phone Number: 03423252727
Zeugma Mosaic Museum Phone Number: 03423252727
NOTE: Since entrance fees may change periodically, you can get information by phone number in advance.
ZEUGMA ANCIENT CITY TRAVELER COMMENTS
Comments from those who visited the Ancient City of Zeugma can help you shape your visit:
'The ancient city of Zeugma is a place you should definitely visit, even if you cannot see as many works as the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. B.C. 3rd century. I definitely recommend you to come here to see with your own eyes how they have given life to the places where humanity has lived since ancient times, with their highly advanced architectural intelligence and aesthetic perception, and to take a lesson by envying what the ancients left behind.'
'Smells like history. Of course, some of it was under water. The view of the dam is also a masterpiece. Museum card is valid for entrance. 10 min after entry. It is necessary to walk. It might be a little hot. Don't forget to take water and a hat with you. You walk among pistachio trees along the road. The top and surroundings of the excavated area are closed. It's cooler inside than outside. There are buildings with 4-5 floors. Excavation continues next door. It should be visited for both the view and historical content.'
ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM TRAVELER COMMENTS
You can also shape your museum visit with the comments of those who came to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum:
'It's definitely a museum to visit, it really feels like you're on a journey through history. The works fascinate people. The efforts made to carry and present these values to the present day are admirable. A must visit to Antep.'
'One of the must-visit places in Gaziantep. Its architecture and contents are very special works, there is no parking problem, but I was disturbed by the non-official staff in the parking lots, but I had to pay money to prevent damage to the vehicle, museum card is valid, there is a cafe in the common area, but since it was outside, I did not prefer to sit in the heat.'
PLACES TO VISIT WHEN YOU COME TO ZEUGMA
While you are visiting Zeugma Ancient City and Mosaic Museum, do not leave without visiting these places:
- Gaziantep castle
- Gaziantep Archeology Museum
- Bath Museum
- Gaziantep Game and Toy Museum
- Gaziantep Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum
SOURCE: https://onedio.com/haber/kommagene-kralliginin-en-buyuk-dort-sehrinden-biri-ve-gaziantep-in-simgesi-zeugma-antik-kenti-ve-mozaik-muze-1088364
