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The ancient city of Sardes, once the capital of the Lydian Empire, will soon join Türkiye’s growing list of archaeological sites open for nighttime visits, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced.

The nighttime museum initiative, championed by Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has been steadily expanding across Türkiye after its launch last year. The program has attracted significant interest from both domestic and international visitors seeking new perspectives on the nation’s rich archaeological heritage.

Infrastructure work advances for June opening

Infrastructure work is proceeding meticulously at the Sardes site in Manisa province’s Salihli district, with plans to fully illuminate the ancient city and open it for evening tours by the end of June. Officials recently shared the first public images of illuminated sections of the archaeological site, revealing how professional lighting transforms the ruins into a dramatic nighttime experience.

The lighting design highlights architectural features that are sometimes overlooked during daylight visits, with special attention given to the site’s most significant structures. Workers are carefully installing lighting systems that both showcase the monuments and ensure visitor safety along pathways throughout the expansive archaeological zone.

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5,000-year legacy illuminated

Sardes holds exceptional historical significance with over 5,000 years of history spanning multiple civilizations. The site is recognized as the first location where state-guaranteed currency was minted, a revolutionary financial innovation that transformed ancient economies.

The city flourished as one of the wealthiest urban centers of its era through agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, and most importantly, gold mining. The Pactolus Stream flowing through Sardes was legendary for its gold deposits, contributing significantly to the Lydian kingdom’s immense wealth and influence across Anatolia.

The ancient city also holds major religious importance, housing one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation in Christian tradition. Visitors can explore one of the world’s most magnificent Ionic order temples dedicated to Artemis, a monumental bath-gymnasium complex from the Roman period, and one of the largest ancient synagogues ever discovered, reflecting the diverse religious practices that coexisted in this cosmopolitan center.

Expanding tourism beyond seasonal constraints

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that the nighttime museum program represents part of its broader strategy to enhance visitor experiences at heritage sites and extend tourism activities throughout the entire year rather than just peak seasonal periods.

“This initiative aims to introduce our historical and cultural heritage to wider audiences and spread tourism throughout all 12 months of the year,” the ministry indicated in its announcement.

Sardes joins several other prominent archaeological sites and museums across Türkiye that have already implemented nighttime visiting hours. The atmospheric evening lighting not only creates new visual experiences for visitors but also helps manage visitor flow at popular destinations, allowing tourists to plan evening visits after spending daylight hours at other attractions.

The ministry confirmed it will continue expanding the nighttime museum projects without interruption to showcase Türkiye’s vast cultural heritage to broader audiences while creating new tourism opportunities throughout the country.

May 17, 2025 10:49 PM GMT+03:00