Turkey has opened an underwater museum in the Southern Mediterranean city Antalya, making it the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The Side Underwater Museum houses 110 sculptures that are classified into five historical and cultural themes: the Turkish War of Independence, camel trains, flower gardens and whirling dervishes.
The sculptures were made of special materials that allow them to foster marine life so that artificial coral reefs can be established. Additionally, the sculptures were designed to not damage or disturb the natural underwater environment.
Representing Anatolian civilization, the sculptures were placed in three different depth zones ranging from 7 to 12 meters to give both recreational and technical divers the chance to visit the museum.
Constructed by the Antalya branch of Turkey's Chamber of Maritime Trade (IMEAK) in nine months, the pioneering museum aims to boost diving tourism in Turkey and benefit from the increasing worldwide interest in underwater tourism.
Side is following in the footsteps of the world's largest underwater museum, the Cancun Underwater Museum, which is located in the resort destination in Mexico. The museum contains 500 sculptures with three different galleries placed at depths ranging from three to six meters, and is home to the world's biggest artificial reef.