Tourism: Ephesus ruins can now be visited at night

The ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can now be visited at night thanks to an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to make Turkey’s museums and archaeological sites accessible after sunset, taking advantage of the hours when the weather it is cooler for tourists.

The project launched in Ephesus includes a complete renovation of the lighting in the ruins of this 2,300-year-old Greco-Roman city, and the extension of the hours when they can be visited until 12 midnight: this will increase the number of tourists who can visit the ruins without overcrowding the archaeological site.

As temperatures in the Aegean region are particularly high for about 6 months of the year, tourists will now be able to avoid the hottest hours during these months, and discover the historical site of Ephesus from a completely different and unique perspective by touring the archaeological site under night-time illumination.

The ruins of Ephesus are one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey, with historical remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and even Ottoman periods. Ephesus was an important religious, cultural and commercial centre that dates back to the 6th century BC and reached its peak during the Roman Empire. The city was noted for its proximity to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and was also the seat of one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Christianity.

In 614 AD, a devastating earthquake destroyed much of Ephesus, marking the beginning of its decline as a commercial centre as the coastline receded, transforming its busy harbour into a marshland that can still be seen today. By 1090, when the Seljuk Turks conquered it, Ephesus had been reduced to an insignificant little village. Today, the ruins of Ephesus are one of Turkey’s great tourist destinations.

🧿 TOP TOURS IN EPHESUS