The story of The Museum Hotel Antakya is as epic as the mythic events and as intriguing as the contemporary classics. This unique structure in the center of a history of 2,300 years rises from the ashes of the past and gives new life to yesterday, today and tomorrow of humanity. And how the story goes on from here is now up to you…
Putting down the foundations for a new hotel in Antakya, Asfuroğlu Family members were unaware of the miracles waiting for them as well as how they will change the area forever. As they witnessed historical artifacts coming to light during groundbreaking works, they set on a 10-year journey to revive the past under the supervision of local authorities.
Everything started with drilling works on 29 points decided for the groundbreaking works of hotel construction. As boreholes were drilled, a huge history buried underneath the soil came to light. The excavation area was found inside 17,312 sqm where hotel land was located, thus, one of the largest and most systematic excavation works since 1930 was conducted in Antakya. From July of 2010 to July of 2011, 35 archaeologists, 120 workers, and five restaurateurs-architects worked nonstop for a year to reach valuable findings and artifacts of different centuries.
And a search for a visionary architect was launched in a national and international scale who could protect artifacts found under the soil by creating a hotel project that can function as a bridge between the past and today, finally an agreement was made with Emre Arolat, the owner of an award winning architecture firm in Türkiye, and EAA Mimarlık.
Taking up all kinds of costs to conserve thousands of years of history for humanity, Asfuroğlu family also paid more than four times of the initial cost for laying down 66 columns which hotel structure will rise upon with great care due to priceless treasures laying underneath.
The construction works began in July of 2011. Designed as a 90% steel construction, approximately 20,000 tons of structural steel and 5,000 tons of concrete reinforcing bars were used in the project. This amount corresponded to three times the steel used in Eiffel Tower in Paris.
As a result of nearly 3,000 working days and 6,000,000 hours of labor, The Museum Hotel Antakya opened its doors as a modern structure in which historical heritage comes alive. This hotel became a miracle where guests enjoy extraordinary experiences through journeys among centuries, feeling the energy of the past in their core while adding their own stories to the layers of the city which witnessed different centuries.
Being home for a wall from 3rd century BC, nearly 30,000 historical artifacts, the largest single-piece floor mosaic in the world, Roman baths and a Pegasus depiction from 2nd century AD, this hotel became a scene to rewrite stories of humanity from yesterday, today and tomorrow.
