Turkey opens summer time with renewals

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Turkey has gained 97 museums with restorations and renewals this year. DHA Photo

According to new data from the Tourism and Culture Ministry, in 2012 and 2013 97 museums were restored and reopened and 38 new museums were opened in Turkey.

According to a written statement sent by the ministry, 188 museums, 130 ruins and 172 private museums were restored and renovated.

In the last three years museums have attained 152,123 artifacts from acquisitions and excavations. On the other hand 4,138 works have been brought back to Turkey from abroad.

The museums that are connected to the ministry have attained 10 restoration ateliers and 3.1 million works have been restored.

The museums that are connected to the ministry have increased their visitor figures as well. While in 2011 28.4 million people visited the museums, in 2012 this figure increased to 28.7 million. Museums and historical areas on the other hand gained 72.1 million liras in 2007 and in 2012 this figure increased 289 percent to 280.2 million. In 2012 the income from museum cards was 20.6 million liras, and between 2011 and 2012 the museum card holders increased by 49 percent. Children’s cultural summer schools also increased between 2011, 2012 and 2013.