Excavations Resume at Tralleis Ancient City in Aydın: Italian Archaeologists Join 2025 Season

The ancient city of Tralleis, located in the Efeler district of Aydın and considered one of the region’s earliest settlements, has entered its 29th year of archaeological excavations. The 2025 excavation season is currently underway, focusing mainly on the bath and gymnasium complex, with a new team of archaeologists arriving from Italy to join the efforts.

First uncovered in 1996, the Tralleis excavations continue to reveal important insights into the area’s rich history. Led by Prof. Dr. Murat Çekilmez, head of the Archaeology Department at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the ongoing work includes excavation, documentation, conservation, and restoration efforts.

This year, an international collaboration was initiated with Prof. Armando Taliano Grasso and an eight-member team from the University of Calabria in Italy joining the project. Prof. Grasso expressed his enthusiasm:
“It is a great honor to work at Tralleis, one of Türkiye’s most significant ancient cities. We are grateful to Prof. Çekilmez for this opportunity, and we hope the excavation will continue successfully for many years to come.”

Alongside the excavation activities, landscaping and site improvement works are being carried out to prepare the ancient city for visitors. Authorities expect to open Tralleis Ancient City to the public by July 2025.

Tralleis remains one of Türkiye’s important archaeological sites, shedding light on the region’s historical and cultural heritage. The continued excavation promises to deepen our understanding of this ancient settlement for years to come.

About Tralleis Ancient City

• Location: Efeler district, Aydın, Türkiye
• Period: An ancient settlement dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods
• Features: A rich city structure including a bath, gymnasium, agora, theater, and necropolis areas
• History: Settlement traces date back to the 3rd century BC; it was an important urban center during the Roman period
• Excavations: Ongoing archaeological excavations since 1996
• Significance: One of the most important ancient cities in the Aegean region in terms of historical and cultural heritage
• Excavation Directors: Prof. Dr. Murat Çekilmez (Türkiye), Prof. Armando Taliano Grasso (Italy)