Zeugma: An Insight into Turkey's Magnificent Ancient City and Mosaic Art

Berfin Ceren Meray
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The Belkıs neighborhood, situated 10 km from the Nizip district in Gaziantep province, is home to the Ancient City of Zeugma, one of the most significant cities of the Roman period. Zeugma's rich history and cultural significance make it a notable symbol of Gaziantep. The Ancient City of Zeugma is of great importance as it brings together remnants of Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek, and Semitic cultures in one place. Moreover, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, renowned as the second-largest mosaic museum globally, proudly exhibits the captivating mosaics unearthed from the city.

The History of the Ancient City of Zeugma

The Ancient City of Zeugma actually consists of a combination of two cities. The Ancient City of Zeugma is formed by connecting the cities of 'Seleucus Euphrates', founded by Seleucus I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, and 'Apama', founded by his wife Apama, with a bridge in 300 BC.

The two cities are located mutually on both sides of the Euphrates. Thanks to the bridge to the cities, Zeugma gets its current name. On an area of approximately 20 thousand acres, this city on the Silk Road was one of the 4 largest cities of the Kingdom of Commagene thanks to its area and population. In the first century BC, 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, which means 'bridge, passage'. in 252, Shapur I, the King of the Sassanid Empire, took Zeugma from Rome, but after a while the city fell back into the hands of Rome. The city was subjected to Islamic raids after the year 601 and was abandoned. between the years 901 and 1200, Islamic settlements began to be established here.

The Importance of the Ancient City of Zeugma

The Ancient City of Zeugma is very important because it houses the Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek and Semitic cultures together. New data that sheds light on the history are obtained in each excavation carried out in this city. The presence of Zeugma on the Silk Road also offers Zeugma great effects in terms of commercial development.

Today, the Ancient City of Zeugma allows us to obtain new information from ancient times with each scientific excavation.

Ancient City of Zeugma Today

Zeugma is located within the borders of Gaziantep province today. There are many buildings in the city that have been preserved to this day. An Agora from the Hellenistic period, a Roman Agora, two different sanctuaries, a stadium, a theater, two baths, the Roman legion, administrative structures of the Roman legion and necropolises, some of the structures that have survived to this day.

Scientific excavations in the city began in 1987. These excavations are still being carried out by Ankara University. The mosaics removed from the scientific excavations cover an area of approximately 2500 square meters. The mosaics that were removed were exhibited in Gaziantep Archaeological Museum for a while. These mosaics were moved to the 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 more than 3000 visitors during the first day it was open for visiting. It has a lot of importance in this aspect. This place was known as the 'World's largest mosaic museum' for 3 years from the date of its opening, September 9, 2011. Later, it transferred this title to the Hatay Archaeological Museum, which was opened on December 28, 2014.

In the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which is one of the leading museums in the world with its architecture and technology, the pieces of two thousand-year-old mosaics that have been missing due to treasure hunters over the years are completed as images with a laser system.

Here, the mosaics consist of 13 color harmonies. The museum was built as three blocks. Mosaics from Zeugma are exhibited in the museum. Especially the world-famous 'Gypsy Girl Mosaic' attracts great attention.

Zeugma Gypsy Girl Mosaic

The Zeugma Gypsy Girl Mosaic was found in the winter period of 1998 - 1999. The Gypsy Girl Mosaic, which was found as part of the 300m2 floor of a villa during the rescue of the Ruins of Belkis by removing the column on it, is a symbol of Gaziantep along with the ancient city.

The gender of the person who is the subject of the mosaic is a topic of discussion. Because of the braids of her hair, this mosaic was called the Gypsy Girl. The mosaic was exhibited in Gaziantep Archaeological Museum for a while. Later, it was moved to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.

The other pieces of the mosaic arrived in Turkey from the United States in December 2018 and started to be exhibited in the same museum again.

Zeugma Bullas

Bulla are prints that were used instead of seals in ancient times. More than 100 thousand of these bulls have been found in Zeugma. Archaeologists say that this number is the largest number of bullae found in the museum records. Zeugma has a world record thanks to the bulls he owns.

Where is the Ancient City of Zeugma? How to Get to the Ancient City of Zeugma?

The Ancient City of Zeugma is located in Belkıs Village, which is located on the borders of Nizip district of Gaziantep province. It is possible to come here by public transportation from the city center to the district, by private vehicles.

If you come to Gaziantep by plane, you can also come to Nizip with the help of HAVAŞ, buses and taxis from the airport or by renting a car.

The address and location information of the ancient city of Zeugma is as follows:

Address: Belkis Center, 27700 Belkis Village/Nizip/Gaziantep

Where is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum? How to Get There?

While you are in Gaziantep and have visited the Ancient City of Zeugma, you can also go to the Mosaic Museum to do more history tourism. Zeugma Mosaic Museum is located in Şehitkamil, Gaziantep. It is quite easy to get here by public transport and private cars.

Address: Mithatpaşa, Hacı Sani Konukoğlu Blv., 27500 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep

Visiting Hours of the Ancient City of Zeugma and the Zeugma Mosaic Museum

The Ancient City of Zeugma

The Ancient City of Zeugma can be visited every day of the week between 08.30 - 18.30.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Ze August 2022 Zeugma Mosaic Museum can be visited between 08.30 - 22.00 hours for a period of 1 month as of 2022 Dec.

Normal visiting hours are between 08.30 - 18.30.

Entrance Fees of Zeugma Ancient City and Zeugma Mosaic Museum

The Ancient City of Zeugma

The entrance fee of Zeugma Ancient City for the year 2022 has been determined as 20 TL. There are Museum Cards at the entrances.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Zeugma Mosaic Museum entrance fee for 2022 has been determined as 65 TL. There are also Museum Cards here. There is also a voice guidance service.

Other Information

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 first.

Places to Visit When You Come to Zeugma

When you have visited the Ancient City of Zeugma and the Mosaic Museum, do not return without stopping by here as well:

Gaziantep Castle

Gaziantep Archaeological Museum

Turkish Bath Museum

Gaziantep Game and Toy Museum

Gaziantep Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum