Antakya’s rich collection of mosaics

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 2^nd 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]