Pactolus, Ancient river in Sardis, Turkey
The Pactolus River flows from Mount Tmolus through the ruins of Sardis before merging with the Gediz River in western Turkey.
The river contained gold-bearing sands that enabled the Lydian kingdom to mint the first coins under King Alyattes in the sixth century BC.
Greek mythology tells how King Midas washed away his golden touch in the Pactolus waters, transferring the gold particles into the river's sands.
Visitors can explore the river's course alongside the ancient ruins of Sardis, which includes remains of Roman baths and a synagogue.
The river's gold deposits were so abundant that they generated the phrase 'as rich as Croesus,' referring to the last Lydian king's wealth.
GPS coordinates: 38.52327,28.04277
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:50
Mount Sipylus
51.4 km
Kula-Salihli Geopark
54.6 km
Tmolus
32.4 km
Sardis Synagogue
3.9 km
Nysa
69.8 km
Aydın Mountains
56.1 km
Key Museum
70.4 km
Kula volcano
44.4 km
Homeros Valley
70.7 km
Muradiye Mosque
54.3 km
Çakırağa Mansion
29.8 km
Bilal Saygılı Mosque
71.2 km
Birgi Grand Mosque
29.8 km
Grand Mosque of Manisa
54.2 km
Nysa Bridge
69.6 km
Manisa relief
48 km
Manisa Archeology Museum
54.2 km
Kuva-yi Milliye and the Republic Monument
60.1 km
Gazi Umur Bey Monument
29.8 km
Sultan Mosque
54.4 km
Ödemiş Urban Archives and Museum
33.6 km
Laskaris Palace
55.8 km
İvaz Paşa Mosque
54.8 km
Ege University Observatory
68.9 km
Manisa Clock Tower
54.2 km
Çeşnigir Mosque
54 km
Kunduracı Çınarı Monumental Tree
68.5 km
Niobe's Rock
54.6 kmReviews
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