Night Museum Experience Begins in Sardis, the Ancient City Where Money Was First Minted
The ancient city of Sardis, once the glittering capital of the Lydian Kingdom and the birthplace of the world’s first coinage, is stepping into a new era. Following its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2025, the site has completed an extensive illumination project that now allows visitors to explore its ruins
The 3,200-Year-Old Hittite Water Monument Still Flows Despite Drought: Eflatunpınar Defies Time
In the district of Beyşehir in Konya, central Türkiye, the Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument, commissioned by King Tuthaliya IV around 1200 BCE, continues to flow after 3,200 years — a striking testament to ancient Anatolian engineering that still resists modern drought. Built directly over a natural spring, the monument combines sophisticated hydraulic planning with deeply
Echoes of the First City-State in Anatolia: Arslantepe’s 5,500-Year-Old Seal Exhibited for the First Time
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arslantepe Mound in eastern Türkiye is once again in the spotlight — this time for two extraordinary artifacts that bridge the dawn of civilization with the modern age. As part of the Culture Route Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the “102 Artifacts for the
Pergamon’s Red Basilica Set to Reopen in 2026 After Extensive Restoration
At the core of ancient Pergamon in western Türkiye rises the Red Basilica, a colossal Roman sanctuary that has witnessed nearly two millennia of transformation—from a temple dedicated to Egyptian gods under Emperor Hadrian, to one of the earliest Christian basilicas, later adapted as a mosque. Now part of Pergamon’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape, this
Göbeklitepe Exhibition to Open in Berlin’s Museum Island with 96 Artifacts in 2026
Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most iconic Neolithic sites and a UNESCO World Heritage property, will be presented in a major international exhibition in Germany. Deputy Minister Gökhan Yazgı confirmed that “Myths in Stone: Göbeklitepe and the World of the Last Hunters” will open in February
12,000-Year-Old Human Statue Unearthed at Göbekli Tepe
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced the discovery of a human statue embedded in a wall at Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex in southeastern Türkiye. The artifact, believed to have been placed as a votive offering, is expected to provide groundbreaking insights into Neolithic rituals and belief
Experts Examine 2,000-Year-Old Roman-Era Woman’s Shoeprint Found in Sagalassos
In the ancient city of Sagalassos, located in Türkiye’s Burdur province, archaeologists are conducting a detailed study of a 2,000-year-old woman’s shoeprint preserved on a clay tile. The rare Roman-era find offers new insight into women’s roles in ancient society and will soon be recreated in full detail. A Rediscovered Trace of Daily Life Sagalassos,
Water Flows Again After 1,900 Years in the Roman Bath of the “City of Gladiators” Stratonikeia
In a scene that revived the grandeur of antiquity, water has flowed once more into the Roman bath of Stratonikeia — known as the “City of Gladiators” — after 1,900 years. Following meticulous excavation and restoration works, the pool was refilled using its original water channel, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the engineering of
Priene, Anatolia’s First Planned City, Poised for Permanent UNESCO World Heritage Listing
Located in Söke district of Aydın province, Türkiye, Priene Ancient City dates back to the 4th century BCE and stands as Anatolia’s earliest known planned city. With its strategic stone walls measuring 2 meters thick and a highly organized urban layout, Priene is now undergoing intensive efforts for permanent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage
Türkiye’s Culture Minister Ersoy on Göbeklitepe: “We Are Committed to Shedding Light on Human History”
On the 7th anniversary of Göbeklitepe’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, emphasized the country’s ongoing efforts to preserve and study the site—often described as the “zero point of history.” Sharing his message via social media, Minister Ersoy stated: “Göbeklitepe, the oldest and most striking