Ancient Sardis Ruins

Editor's Note

Ancient Sardis Ruins, just outside Salihli, Manisa, is a historic Ören Yeri — ruins that have weathered into the hillside, with enough surviving fabric to sketch the lives of the people who once moved through it.

Story

Located in Manisa's Salihli district, the ruins of Sardis are the silent witness of one of the most magnificent cities of the ancient world. As the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, where gold was worked during the reign of Croesus and which was a center of the trade flowing along the Silk Road, this city hosted different civilizations over the centuries. Column ruins rising from stone foundations, broken mosaics, and walls preserved here and there reflect the mastery of Roman-era architecture. In particular, the magnificent ruins of the Temple of Artemis and the fine craftsmanship of the Jewish synagogue reveal the region's deep imprint on cultural history. An interesting detail: the golden sands of the Pactolus River, for which Sardis was famous, were renowned worldwide in antiquity. During your visit, the view overlooking the broad plain from the temple terrace will help you understand the strategic importance of the city's former location.

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