Sardis

Sardis is a sprawling excavation site with remains from several centuries near the modern village of Sart in Manisa Province. The ruins spread across slopes and plains, showing bathhouse structures, rows of columns, marble floors, and foundations of religious buildings.

The settlement served as capital of the Lydian kingdom until the Persian conquest in 547 BC under Cyrus the Great. Later the city experienced Roman and Byzantine phases before being gradually abandoned in the medieval period after repeated earthquakes.

The ancient capital earned its reputation as the wealthiest metropolis of its time because King Croesus minted the first standardized coins from electrum here. Visitors still see the workshops and furnaces where craftsmen separated metal and shaped it into currency.

The walking route passes through several zones with different ground surfaces, so sturdy shoes are recommended. The site lies partly in the sun and partly in the shade of trees, so water should be brought along.

The synagogue from the fourth century AD is considered the largest known Jewish assembly house from antiquity with a floor area over 4,800 square meters (about 51,650 square feet). Archaeologists also found mosaic floors here with inscriptions in Greek and Hebrew names.

Location: Manisa Province

Location: Salihli

Website: http://sardisexpedition.org

GPS coordinates: 38.48833,28.04028

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:26