Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep: The Gypsy Girl and Her City

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: The Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep is an unmissable, world-class institution showcasing a breathtaking collection of Roman mosaics. It is absolutely worth visiting for its star attraction, the hauntingly beautiful Gypsy Girl mosaic , and for the sheer scale and artistry of treasures rescued from the ancient city of Zeugma . A visit here is one of the most rewarding things to do in southeastern Turkey. Fact Detail Location Gaziantep, Gaziantep Province, Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye Period / Type Hellenistic & Roman Mosaics (primarily 2nd-3rd centuries AD) What It Is One of the world's largest mosaic museums, housing art from the ancient city of Zeugma. UNESCO Status The Archaeological Site of Zeugma is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List (since 2012). Entry Fee required; the Türkiye Museum Pass is valid here (last checked September 2026). Typical Visit Length 2-3 hours Nearest Airport Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport (GZT) Driving Time from Nearest Big City About 1.5 hours from Şanlıurfa Best Months to Visit March-May and September-November, for pleasant weather in Gaziantep. What Is the Story Behind the Zeugma Mosaic Museum? The story of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum is one of cultural triumph against time. It’s a modern ark, built to save the treasures of a city destined to be drowned. The ancient city of Zeugma , located on the banks of the Euphrates River near the modern town of Nizip , was a vital Roman legionary base and trading hub on the Silk Road. Its wealthy inhabitants adorned their villas with stunningly intricate mosaics, turning their floors into mythological storybooks. In the late 1990s , the construction of the Birecik Dam threatened to submerge about a third of the ancient city. As the wate