Muğla’s Museums and Ruins Attract Over 1 Million Visitors
Muğla, a city in Turkey known for its beautiful districts including Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye, is not only a popular tourist destination for its natural attractions, but also for its rich history. In recent years, Muğla has become an important center for cultural tourism, as well as accommodation tourism, according to Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık.
The city is home to many ancient cities, some of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List. In 2023, 1,164,151 people visited 5 museums and 86 visitable ruins in Muğla, showcasing the growing interest in the region’s historical sites.
Akbıyık highlighted the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum as the most visited museum, attracting 333,956 visitors last year. The museum, located in the Bodrum Castle, houses artifacts uncovered during excavations. The Castle Museum in Marmaris, rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent during his Rhodes campaign, ranked second with 153,126 visitors. Additionally, among the ruins, Fethiye’s Amintas Rock Tombs and the ‘Ghost Village’ in Kayaköy were the top attractions, drawing over 100,000 visitors each.
The governor also mentioned that excavations are ongoing in 28 ancient cities in Muğla, and the city’s Investment Monitoring and Coordination Directorate supports excavations in 24 of these ancient cities. Some of the key areas under investigation include the tomb of the Carian King Hekatomnos in Milas, Beçin Castle, Kayaköy, Lagina, Stratonikeia, Kaunos, Euromos, Heraklia, Hylarima, Labranda, and Tloss.
Akbıyık expects that the number of tourists visiting Muğla will increase as excavations in the ruins progress and are opened to more visitors. He also noted that more than a thousand people are working on the excavations in the ruins, including underwater excavations at specific sites in the city.
The combination of historical riches and natural beauty makes Muğla a unique and increasingly popular destination for cultural tourism. With its ancient cities, museums, and ongoing excavations, Muğla offers a rich experience for travelers seeking to explore the region’s historical and cultural heritage.
