Akhisar Museum
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Akhisar Müzesi | |
  Akhisar Museum | |
| Established | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°55′13″N 27°50′14″E / 38.92028°N 27.83722°E |
| Type | Archaeology -Ethnography |
| Collection size | 689 object(2019) |
| Visitors | 18.084(2019)[1] |
| Owner | Ministry of Culture |
Akhisar Museum, is an archaeology and ethnography museum located in Akhisar. Situated next to the Thyatira archaeological site and operating under the Manisa Museum Directorate, the museum was opened to visitors in 2012.
The museum is housed in a building originally constructed in 1932 as a hospital. Over the years, the building served as a school and a teacher's house before undergoing restoration to be converted into a museum. With a 650 m² indoor exhibition space, the museum’s collection comprises a total of 689 artifacts. The exhibits include items discovered in and around Akhisar, featuring archaeological artifacts from the Hellenistic period, Ancient Rome, and Byzantine periods, as well as ethnographic objects reflecting the Ottoman and Republican eras.
The museum is divided into two main sections: archaeology and ethnography. In the Archaeology Section, notable displays include Thyatira coins, gold objects from the Lydia period, ceramics from the Yortan culture, and the Gökçeler relief.[2] The Ethnography Section showcases traditional life in Akhisar through exhibits such as hand-embroidered items, clothing, objects related to carpet weaving, and seals. Additionally, the Arasta Section within the ethnography area highlights traditional local occupations such as tobacco production, felt-making, carriage-making, and saddlery, along with objects associated with these crafts.
The building of the Akhisar Museum, affiliated with the Manisa Museum Directorate, has served various functions in the past and provided diverse services to the city. The structure was originally constructed in 1932 by Ayşe Aloğlu as a two-story hospital to commemorate her son, Ali Şefik, who died young from illness. Named "Ali Şefik Hospital," the building was repurposed as a school and allocated to the Ministry of National Education at the request of local authorities, with Ayşe Aloğlu’s approval.[3] It functioned as Ali Şefik Middle School until 1992, after which it was renovated and reopened in 1994 as Ali Şefik Teachers' Residence.[4]
In 2005, the closure of the teacher's house and its reassignment for another purpose came under consideration, sparking debates in the city.[5] In particular, the Akhisar Branch of Eğitim Sen criticized the decision, alleging political motives behind the closure, and organized protests with participation from Akhisar residents.[6] In response to the backlash, authorities announced that the building would be converted into a museum, contributing to the city’s cultural heritage. However, these statements failed to fully resolve the debates surrounding the reasons for the closure.[7] Amid these discussions, the building ceased functioning as a teachers' residence in 2007.[8]
History
Background
Archaeological artifacts uncovered during excavations in and around Akhisar were stored in depots due to the insufficient capacity of the Archaeological Museum of Manisa. Ongoing excavations in the region, expected to continue in the long term, increased the need for exhibition and storage space for new finds.[9][10] Furthermore, Akhisar’s location at the intersection of tourism routes such as Istanbul-İzmir and Bergama-Denizli, along with the presence of Thyatira, highlighted the need for a museum in the city.[10] In response to these needs, efforts to establish a museum were initiated under the leadership of Kefayettin Öz, then Chairman of the Manisa Provincial General Assembly Culture and Tourism Commission. On 4 September 2006, a site allocation was made, and it was decided to construct the museum in an area then used as a teachers' residence.[8][11]
Repurposing as a Museum
The tender process for the necessary survey, restoration, and repair work to convert the building into a museum began in 2007. In March 2007, feasibility studies for the construction project were conducted. The remaining budget shortfall was covered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with the total budget announced as ₺2.1 million.[12]
Since the museum building is located within a designated heritage site, the planning and permitting processes were lengthy.[10] During this period, survey and restoration plans for the building were prepared. However, once restoration work began, it became evident that the building’s current condition did not align with the project plans.[13] After removing the plaster from the building’s exterior, it was discovered that changes over time had rendered the existing project plans inadequate. Technical experts prepared a report confirming that the building, in its current state, did not meet the project requirements.[13] This necessitated the submission and approval of new plans to the preservation boards.[13]
Changes to the project, the need to renew the tender, and interventions such as the demolition of the building’s second floor caused delays and further prolonged the restoration process.[13] Initially slated for completion by the end of 2007, the structure was completed after a six-year process at a cost of ₺1,537,897.[10][14] Following the completion of the work, the museum opened to the public on 18 May 2012 and was officially inaugurated on 6 August 2012 with the participation of Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay.[15]
