🏛️ Sardis-Thyateira
Layered remains of two major cities spanning Hellenistic to Ottoman periods in western Turkey
📌 Fast Facts
- Located in Manisa Province, approximately 100 km east of İzmir
- Overlapping sites: Sardis (capital of Lydia, 7th–6th century BCE onwards) and Thyateira (Hellenistic-Roman city)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Archaeological Sites of Troy)
- Extensive excavations conducted primarily by Cornell University since 1958
- Remains span Iron Age through Ottoman occupation
Sardis and Thyateira occupy overlapping geographical and chronological spaces in the Gediz River valley, representing a succession of urban centers rather than distinct settlements. Sardis, ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, flourished as a major political and commercial hub from the 7th century BCE until its destruction by the Achaemenid Persians around 546 BCE. Thyateira emerged as a significant Hellenistic and Roman city on or near the same location, becoming one of the Seven Churches ...