Tralleis Ancient City to Open to Visitors: A 23-Year Dream Comes True
One of Turkey’s hidden archaeological gems, Tralleis Ancient City in Aydın, is set to welcome visitors starting August 2025. This milestone marks the fulfillment of a 23-year dream for excavation director Prof. Dr. Murat Çekilmez, who has dedicated his entire academic career to this historic site. From Student Volunteer to Excavation Director Prof. Çekilmez first
Excavations Begin at Kedrai Ancient City: Sedir Island’s Hidden History Resurfaces
The 2025 archaeological excavation season at Kedrai Ancient City, located on Sedir Island in Muğla’s Marmaris district, will officially begin on June 23. This year’s work will focus on deepening research around the grand basilica and ancient theater. Sedir Island’s historical treasure Kedrai prepares for a new excavation season Situated off the coast of Muğla’s
A mosaic inscribed with “Only those on the right path may enter” has been unearthed at the entrance of a church in the ancient city of Olympos
A new mosaic inscription has been uncovered at the entrance of a Byzantine-era church in the ancient city of Olympos, located in the Kumluca district of Antalya, Türkiye. The inscription reads: “Only those on the right path may enter,” offering a striking glimpse into the spiritual symbolism of the site. Excavations at the ancient city
Excavations Start in the Ancient City of Lystra, Mentioned in the Bible
Archaeological excavations have resumed in 2025 at the ancient city of Lystra, located in Konya’s Meram district — a site of great historical and religious significance, particularly within Christian tradition. Known as one of the rare cities mentioned in the Bible, Lystra is attracting growing international interest. Nestled between the Botsa and Hatunsaray regions of
Surprising Discovery in the Ancient City of Magnesia: First Structures from the Christian Era Unearthed
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Magnesia, located in the Germencik district of Aydın, have uncovered a brand new historical layer that sheds light on the city’s past. For the first time, evidence spanning from the Late Roman period to the Christian era and the pre-Beyliks period has been identified. With a 2,400-year history,
“The Ephesus of Central Anatolia”: Ancient Roman Bath in Türkiye Unearthed Again After Years of Silence
A long-forgotten Roman-era bath complex has resurfaced in public attention, thanks to a recent cultural tour organized by the Kırşehir City Council. Dubbed the “Ephesus of Central Anatolia,” the ancient site near the village of Büyükteflek in Kırşehir’s Çiçekdağı district continues to reveal its secrets beneath the soil. The archaeological site, located in the Kale
Unveiling the Mysteries of the Hekate Temple: A Glimpse into Lagina’s Ancient Sacred Site
Situated near the town of Yatağan in Muğla Province, southwestern Türkiye, the Lagina Sanctuary of Hekate is one of the most significant ancient religious centers dedicated to Hekate, the goddess of magic, crossroads, and the underworld. At its core stands the remarkable Hekate Temple, a masterpiece of Hellenistic architecture and symbolic storytelling that sheds light
Mehmed the Conqueror and the Orthodox Intellectuals: A Forgotten Chapter of Interfaith Dialogue
The conquest of Constantinople in 1453 marked not only the rise of a new political era but also the beginning of a fascinating intellectual transformation. Under the rule of Sultan Mehmed II, often known as Mehmed the Conqueror, the Ottoman court became a unique space where religious leaders, philosophers, and scholars from various backgrounds engaged
The Hittites’ Gateway to the West: Archaeological Excavations Continue at Şarhöyük, Eskişehir
Just a few kilometers from the heart of Eskişehir, central Türkiye, lies Şarhöyük, an archaeological treasure trove that offers a window into thousands of years of Anatolian history. Identified with the ancient city of Dorylaion, this site is now at the center of a major excavation project revealing the layers of civilizations that once flourished
The Evil Eye Bead: A Thousand-Year Stare and the Power to Ward It Off
Some gazes feel heavy—like they pierce right through you. Your chest tightens, your energy shifts. This ancient fear, that a look could carry harm, has followed humanity for millennia. And to that invisible threat, people across time have offered the same silent defense: the evil eye bead, or Nazar Boncuğu. Today, it’s a charm hanging