Number of museums in Turkey rose to 494 in 2020

By Sevgi Ceren Gokkoyun

ANKARA (AA) - The number of museums in Turkey increased by 5.8% in 2020 to reach 494, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute. There were 467 museums in 2019.

Cultural heritage statistics showed that 205 of the museums are under the Culture and Tourism Ministry, while 289 are run privately.

The number of visitors to state museums, however, sharply decreased due to restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Visitors fell by 73.6% to 9.2 million in 2020.

Meanwhile, the number of artworks in museums affiliated with the ministry increased by 0.5% last year, reaching 3.3 million.

Similarly, national parks in the country rose by 2.3%, while nature parks by 1.2%.

*Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez​​​​​​​