Antakya in Turkey is the
modern name for Laudetia, which Seleucos Nicator named after his mother. It was later renamed Antioch-on-the Orontes.
Today, the city is most famous for its rich collection of mosaics that are
displayed in the local Hatay Archaeology Museum and worth a visit by
itself.
Unsurprisingly, a mosaic from the 2nd
century AD was discovered during the construction works to build a new hotel. It is described as a hand-woven carpet
and, with its 1050
square meters, the largest single-piece mosaic in the
world – although this may be exaggerated.
Because of its
size and shape, the mosaic will remain in place. It has been wracked by
repeated earthquakes in the area (see: Eyewitnesses of an earthquake in Antioch-on-the-Orontes).
Luckily, the
hotel owner sees the archaeological find as an extra opportunity to lure
clients and visitors alike and turn his project into a museum-hotel which he’ll
name Necmi Asfuroǧlu Archaeology Museum. Besides the mosaic, some 200 artifacts
from Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman times have been
unearthed and will find a place in this future museum.
Indeed another reason to visit Antakya soon!
[Pictures from onedio]
No comments:
Post a Comment