The Side Underwater Museum is the first and only underwater museum in Turkey and Europe. The largest underwater museum in the world is in Cancun - Mexico. Taking a pioneering step for both Turkey and mainland Europe, culture and commerce officials in the southern Side district of Antalya built and cut the ribbon to inaugurate a new underwater museum across the Mediterranean. .
The Side Underwater Museum was built by the Antalya Branch Maritime Chamber of Commerce (IMEAK) and officially opened in the Manavgat district of Antalya with 110 sculptures. IMRAK President İnanç Kendiroğlu said the sculptures showing the richness of the Anatolian civilization were completed in just nine months and placed underwater in Side. The museum is the first and only of its kind in Turkey and Europe, said Mr. Kendiroğlu, adding that they are planning to improve scuba tourism and open museums. underwater in Kemer, Alanya and central Antalya province in the coming years. The sculptures are designed to avoid damaging the aquatic natural environment.
The area of the underwater museum is closed to ships, visitors with a diving certificate can dive here for free. The owner of the Side Silver Diving School, Ahmet Gülaydın, says diving tourism has increased by 30% in Side after the opening of the museum.
The museum aims to demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science, forming a complex reef structure for marine life to settle, colonize and increase biomass on a large scale.
The museum has 5 sections, arranged according to a number of historical and cultural themes ranging from “Turkish War of Independence” to “Swiss Raceway”, “Camel Train” and “Garden”. flowers”, 110 sculptures are currently on display under the Mediterranean Sea. The sculptures are built from specialized materials used to nourish the life of corals. The sculptures are lowered into position in three different depth zones that are accessible to all divers, amateur, semi-professional or professional.
Opening hours: 09:00 - 14:00
Address: Side Neighborhood Manavgat/Antalya