Sandland (Antalya Kum Heykel Müzesi) is one of the world's most prestigious and largest sand sculpture events, held annually since 2006. It showcases hundreds of massive sand sculptures, notable for their size, the number of participating artists, and the amount of sand used.
In recent years, sand sculpture art has emerged as a unique and ephemeral form of art worldwide. Falling under the category of alternative arts, sand sculpture events use only water and river sand. Every April, international sculptors create magnificent pieces that weigh hundreds of tons and stand meters tall, solely using water and sand. This art form embodies the philosophy that nothing is permanent and everything will eventually vanish. These astounding creations are displayed for a brief period before being dismantled to make way for new sculptures.
Located on Antalya’s renowned Lara Beach, Sandland spans approximately 7,000 square meters. It uses 10,000 tons of river sand, and the stunning works produced by professional sand sculptors from around the globe over a three-week period are on display daily. Sandland is the world’s first and only sand sculpture exhibition open year-round. Visitors can explore the exhibit from June 1 to November 1 between 09:30 and 23:00, and from November 1 to June 1 between 09:00 and 19:00.
The new theme for this year’s exhibition is "Space Adventure". The exhibit explores humanity’s journey into space in a chronological and engaging manner. Sculptures feature Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo, the Wright Brothers, the Montgolfier Brothers, Hezarfen Celebi, Zeppelins, Yuri Gagarin (the first human in space), Neil Armstrong (the first human on the moon), the Columbia Space Shuttle, the SpaceX Dragon 2 Capsule, Mars Colonies, planets of the Solar System, and many other themes. Additionally, beloved characters from space-themed movies like Star Wars, Star Trek, Wall-E, Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Fifth Element are brought to life in the exhibit.
Visitors can enjoy live views of the sun, moon, and planets on a large screen using powerful telescopes. The exhibit also offers a unique experience with a human gyroscope that simulates a zero-gravity environment, used in astronaut training. The event caters to all ages, with special programs for young visitors to create their first art pieces using kinetic sand at the Magic Sand Castle.
Located by the sea, the exhibit offers additional activities such as ATV safaris and water sports. At night, the sculptures are illuminated with LED lights, creating a magical atmosphere, complemented by themed music. A large LED screen in the museum cafeteria shows a documentary on the making of the sculptures.
Visit Sandland and witness the incredible fusion of art and nature, where sand and water create awe-inspiring masterpieces!
