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The ancient city of Tralleis, located in the Efeler district of Aydin in western Türkiye, is set to open its gates to the public in August 2025 for the first time in modern history.
After decades of archaeological excavations, the site—believed to be the birthplace of the world’s first notated music—is being prepared for visitors under a state-funded cultural heritage initiative.
Founded nearly three millennia ago by Thracians and Argives, Tralleis holds a significant place in the region’s cultural and architectural heritage. Among its most iconic surviving structures is a large Roman-era gymnasium, commonly referred to as the Triumphal Arch.
Other well-preserved features include a marble-paved avenue, Roman baths, a marketplace (agora), a theater, temples, early Christian churches, and ancient burial grounds (necropolises).
One of the city's standout elements is its main street, lined with marble, which will soon be accessible to visitors who will have the rare opportunity to walk it just as ancient residents once did.
The current head of the excavations, Professor Murat Cekilmez of Aydin Adnan Menderes University, has been involved with the site since his student years. Known for his dedication to Tralleis, Cekilmez continues to lead the efforts with long working hours during the active seasons of excavation.
According to Cekilmez, intensive work is ongoing to prepare the site for visitors. Restoration, landscaping, and conservation efforts are nearing completion, and the project has now reached a point where public access can soon begin.
“This will be the first time the site opens to the public since the beginning of excavations in 1996,” he said, describing the milestone as a result of years of meticulous planning and fieldwork.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism supports the restoration project through the ‘Heritage for the Future Project,’ a national funding program aimed at preserving and promoting archaeological and historical landmarks across Türkiye.
With the excavation tender already finalized, Tralleis is now in the final stages of development before it welcomes local and international visitors.
Cekilmez expressed hope that the opening will turn Tralleis into a defining cultural destination for the city of Aydin and a valuable site for archaeological research and tourism alike.
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