Western Türkiye’s Archaeological Sites Host Over 361,000 Visitors Within Night Museum Project

The Night Museums Project, bringing Türkiye’s historical sites in the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts to light after sunset, has concluded its inaugural summer season with remarkable success in western Türkiye. As part of the initiative, over 361,000 people visited archaeological sites and museums on the Aegean coast from April to September.

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism implemented the Night Museums Project to attract more tourists to the country’s historical sites after sunset during summer this year. With the project, lights cast a captivating glow over designated ancient cities, offering a mesmerising cultural experience for visitors until midnight.

Within this groundbreaking initiative’s scope, the ancient cities of Ephesus and Hierapolis have hosted visitors up until midnight throughout the summer. İzmir’s Ephesus welcomed 284,240 visitors in this period, while 76,975 people visited Hierapolis in Denizli. Therefore, a total of 361,215 visitors explored the unique cultural heritage of both sites in a completely different atmosphere after dark.

Thanks to the project, Ephesus, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2015, was the first site to open during nighttime hours. The ancient city, which welcomes thousands of people every year in summer, also drew considerable interest at night with its grand structures illuminated by the lighting works, including the theatre and library.

On the other hand, Hierapolis joined Ephesus as the second ancient site to be illuminated after sunset. Visitors could explore the Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, under the stars.

Türkiye will continue to expand the Night Museum Project, which added a unique dimension to historical sites, to new locations, reaching wider audiences with the country’s cultural riches.