The 2,500-year-old bronze statue of a woman, named "Leyla," which was caught in a fisherman's net off the coast of Bozburun, has been opened to the public in the new exhibition hall prepared by the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce at the Marmaris Museum.
The bronze statue, caught in the net of fisherman Hasan Önal while fishing off the coast of Bozburun, Marmaris, in 2020, was presented to the public for the first time in the "Woman from the Sea" exhibition opened at the Marmaris Museum as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "102 Exhibitions in 102 Years: A Journey to Anatolia's Cultural Heritage in the Light of the Republic" project. This 2,500-year-old bronze statue, approximately 1.80 meters tall and weighing 400 kilograms, was exhibited in the new exhibition hall, opened with the support of the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce. Local fishermen named the statue "Leyla," meaning "woman with beautiful hair."
President Ayhan Joins Forces for Cultural Heritage
The exhibition's opening began at the Marmaris Museum with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem. S. Mutlu Ayhan, Chairman of the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, delivered the opening speech with emotional expressions, saying that it was very meaningful for him to be speaking at such an event at Marmaris Castle, where he played as a child. Ayhan expressed his pride in hosting the exhibition on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the Republic.
In his speech, Ayhan emphasized that Marmaris is not only a tourist destination but also a city growing with culture, history, and collective memory. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce sponsored the excavations at the ancient cities of Amos and Kedreai, documentation efforts at the ancient city of Phoenix, and the archaeological site of the 37-meter-deep shipwreck at Serçe Limanı.
District Governor Kaya: "Carrying History is Our Responsibility"
Marmaris District Governor Nurullah Kaya emphasized in his speech that Marmaris is a valuable city not only for its natural beauty but also for its cultural heritage. Kaya noted that the Marmaris Museum houses historical artifacts from Datça to Ula and that this opening marks the opening of the fifth hall. Kaya said, "With findings from excavations such as Amos, Kastabos, Kedrai, and Phoenix, we are further revealing the cultural depth of Marmaris."
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/balikci-agina-takilmisti-2500-yillik-400-kilogramlik-bronz-heykel-ilk-kez-sergilendi-7382283