The Night Museum project has launched in the ancient city of Ephesus, situated in İzmir’s Selçuk district.
Ephesus, honored on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2015, now welcomes visitors after sunset, thanks to the project’s initiative. Enhanced lighting installations allow guests to explore the 2,300-year-old ancient city in the nighttime ambiance.
A launch meeting for the project was convened on May 4 within the ancient city.
Governor Süleyman Elban of İzmir remarked, “This year marks the inaugural implementation of the night museum concept, particularly in open areas, ruins, and historical cities. Ephesus was chosen as the pioneer location for this endeavor due to significant demand from both domestic and international visitors. However, the capacity of these sites is limited, necessitating extended visiting hours beyond daylight. The Culture and Tourism Ministry has developed a lighting project for the ancient city, enabling us to extend visiting hours until midnight.”
Elban highlighted the challenges posed by high temperatures in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions during six months of the year, stating, “Visitors often face difficulty exploring these areas during the day. Opening these sites during the cooler nighttime hours offers convenience and comfort to guests.”
