Published on September 7, 2025
The Night Museum programme began arsenic a groundbreaking measurement to connection visitors a unsocial opportunity to research Türkiye’s taste practice nether nan moonlight. Now, pinch 27 locations participating, nan programme has go a important facet of nan country’s tourism strategy. Notably, successful Antalya, respective ancient cities for illustration Patara, Side, and Aspendos, arsenic good arsenic nan Alanya Museum and nan Antalya Necropolis Museum, stay unfastened to visitors until precocious successful nan evening. Many of these sites widen their hours until 9:00 aliases 10:00 PM, providing an enchanting ambiance wherever nan country’s humanities and taste practice tin beryllium appreciated successful a caller light. Other locations, specified arsenic nan ancient cities of Perge, Phaselis, and Myra, arsenic good arsenic nan Side Archaeological Museum, travel a akin schedule, keeping their doors unfastened to nan nationalist good into nan evening during nan summertime months.
This extended entree allows visitors to acquisition these humanities sites successful a relaxed, little crowded environment, importantly enhancing nan tourism experience. With nan added charm of nan night, these taste landmarks are being rediscovered by those seeking to bask nan past successful a modern and engaging way.
Side Ancient City: A Magical Experience After Sunset
Among nan astir captivating locations included successful nan Night Museum programme is nan Side Ancient City. One of nan country’s astir well-preserved archaeological sites, Side offers a genuinely magical acquisition aft sunset. As nan evening falls, nan Temples of Apollo and Athena, which are magnificently illuminated, go immoderate of nan astir visited attractions successful nan area. The city’s agora, columned streets, bathhouses, and temples travel to life nether nan nighttime sky, providing visitors pinch a stunning ocular spectacle.
In 2024, complete 484,000 visitors were hosted crossed nan Night Museum initiative, pinch Side unsocial welcoming 34,000 tourists. This demonstrates nan profound effect that nan programme has had connected section tourism and its expertise to tie world attraction to Turkey’s ancient taste sites.
A Vision for nan Future: “Legacy for nan Future” successful Cultural Heritage
The Night Museum programme is portion of a broader imagination championed by nan Presidency of nan Türkiye Century initiative. This vision, which intends to beforehand and sphere nan country’s taste and archaeological treasures, has been dubbed “Legacy for nan Future.” Minister Ersoy emphasized that nan ongoing projects successful Turkey’s archaeology are transforming nan country’s attack to its taste heritage. Notably, since 2023, 251 excavation sites person been actively contributing to a singular advancement successful Turkish archaeology, equating to nan activity carried retired complete nan past 60 years.
One of nan astir salient examples of this vision’s occurrence is nan restoration of nan Temple of Athena successful Side, alongside nan renewal of nan Side Archaeological Museum and nan restoration of nan monumental streets. Additionally, a erstwhile infirmary building successful nan area is group to beryllium converted into nan Arif Müfid Mansel Archaeological Museum, slated to unfastened successful 2025. This changeless activity underscores Türkiye’s dedication to not only preserving but besides revitalizing its rich | taste legacy.
Discovering New Attractions successful Side: Restoration and Excavations Unveil Hidden Gems
The Side Ancient City is simply a focal constituent for archaeological discoveries, pinch caller attractions emerging each year. For nan first clip this year, streets successful nan Episcopal District were opened, allowing visitors to research nan halfway of nan episcopal buildings, a antecedently inaccessible area. The restoration of nan Side Theater is besides underway, and nan area surrounding it has been transformed into an archaeological park, enhancing nan site’s allure.
Further restoration projects, specified arsenic nan unearthing of frescoes and mosaics down nan Monumental Fountain, are group to proceed until November, promising to adhd moreover much attractions to this already celebrated site. The improvement of a dedicated visitant way will guarantee that visitors tin afloat immerse themselves successful nan humanities ambiance of nan tract while exploring its galore wonders.
Antalya’s Rising Tourism Brand: A Focus connected Culture, History, and Gastronomy
In summation to nan occurrence of nan Night Museum initiative, Antalya is progressively becoming a salient tourism destination not conscionable for its beaches, but for its rich | taste and humanities offerings. Minister Ersoy pointed retired that Antalya has evolved beyond being a formation destination, pinch expanding nickname for its humanities significance, gastronomic delights, and sports tourism. As of nan extremity of August, Antalya welcomed 11.7 cardinal visitors, signaling a increasing liking successful nan city’s divers attractions.
The city’s taste floor plan will beryllium further boosted by its 3rd hosting of nan Turkish Cultural Road Festival successful November, which will supply further vulnerability to nan rich | taste cloth of nan region. Minister Ersoy expressed assurance that Antalya‘s estimation arsenic a taste hub would proceed to flourish, driven by investments successful preserving and promoting its divers heritage.
A Commitment to Preserving Culture: Strengthening Türkiye’s Tourism Future
Minister Ersoy concluded his remarks by reaffirming Türkiye’s ongoing committedness to safeguarding and enhancing its taste and humanities assets. Through continued finance successful taste preservation and tourism infrastructure, nan state intends to not only protect its practice but besides to stock it pinch nan world successful nan astir engaging ways possible.
He expressed gratitude towards nan efforts of each those progressive successful these eager projects, including Prof. Dr. Feriştah Alanyalı, nan Director of Side Excavations, and nan dedicated archaeologists and scientists moving tirelessly to toggle shape Türkiye’s taste and tourism imaginable into 1 of nan astir awesome showcases successful nan world.