833-Year-Old Leaning Minaret of Sivas Ulu Cami Enters Critical Restoration Phase
A major restoration project at the historic Sivas Ulu Cami has reached a decisive stage, as work intensifies on its iconic leaning minaret, a structure that has defined the city’s skyline for more than eight centuries. Ongoing conservation efforts, led by regional heritage authorities, are now focusing on stabilizing and preserving the minaret’s exterior—an intervention
Massive Sardis Synagogue with Vast Mosaics Reveals Jewish Presence in Roman Anatolia
One of the largest synagogues of the ancient world still stands at Sardis—its vast mosaic floors stretching across nearly 1,400 square meters, quietly preserving the footprint of a once-powerful Jewish community in Roman Anatolia. Set within one of the city’s most prominent public complexes, the structure does more than impress with its scale. It reveals
Sillyon’s Hellenistic Walls Rise Again in Antalya, Reasserting One of Anatolia’s Most Formidable Ancient Defenses
For centuries, Sillyon stood as a city few could reach—let alone conquer. Now, with the restoration of its Hellenistic walls, that reputation is becoming visible once again. Perched on a steep plateau in the Serik district of Antalya, Sillyon Ancient City was never an ordinary settlement. Its defensive strength began with geography. Sheer slopes and
Roadworks in Rize Reveal a Hidden 19th-Century Stone Bridge Buried Beneath the City
A historic stone arch bridge in Rize, long buried beneath layers of road construction, has re-emerged during ongoing urban redevelopment works. Dating back to 1826, the structure had remained hidden for decades—preserved beneath asphalt and fill—until recent excavations brought it back into view. The bridge, locally known as the “Çitanın Bridge,” was uncovered along a
This 4th-Century Mosaic in Türkiye Reveals the Legendary Wealth of Troy
Discovered in the ancient city of Daphne (Harbiye) in southern Türkiye, the 4th-century Khresis Mosaic offers more than a decorative scene. It captures a moment where myth, wealth, and power intersect—rooted in the enduring memory of Troy’s legendary riches. Today, the mosaic is displayed at the Hatay Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum, where it stands out
600-Year-Old Rock-Cut Ottoman Endowment Inscription Restored in Amasya, Possibly Unique Worldwide
A 600-year-old Ottoman endowment inscription carved directly into natural bedrock has been restored in Amasya, northern Türkiye. Dating to 1418, the Bayezid Pasha foundation text is now readable again after years of damage, and experts say it may represent the only known example of a waqf inscription carved into living rock anywhere in the world.
A Lost City Revealed by Chance: Ara Güler’s Photographs Brought Aphrodisias to the World
In 1958, the ancient city of Aphrodisias had yet to enter global awareness when Ara Güler took a wrong turn on a rural road in southwestern Türkiye.He was on assignment, covering a dam project in Aydın province. But an unexpected detour led him to the village of Geyre—and to something far older than anything he
Harbetsuvan Tepesi Reveals Organized Neolithic Settlement 10,000 Years Ago
Harbetsuvan Tepesi, in southeastern Türkiye, doesn’t look like much at first. Low rises, scattered stones—nothing that immediately signals a breakthrough. But beneath that quiet surface, new research is pointing to something far more revealing: even small Neolithic communities were already living in structured, carefully organized settlements nearly 10,000 years ago. A Dense Settlement, Not a
147 Artifacts from 10,000-Year-Old Hasankeyf Go on Public Display for the First Time
For the first time, 147 archaeological artifacts unearthed in Hasankeyf are now on public display, offering visitors a rare, long-overdue encounter with one of Upper Mesopotamia’s deepest historical archives. Previously kept in storage, the collection has been brought into view as part of a new exhibition initiative at the Hasankeyf Museum. The display forms the
2,000-Year-Old Medusa Mosaic at Kibyra Reopens to Visitors in Türkiye
In the ancient city of Kibyra, located in Burdur’s Gölhisar district, one of the most remarkable surviving works of Roman stone craftsmanship has been revealed once again. The 2,000-year-old Medusa mosaic, protected throughout the winter months, has now reopened to visitors with the arrival of the new season. Seasonal conservation and reopening Each year, the