UNESCO Recognizes Sardis and Bin Tepe Tumuli in Türkiye as World Heritage Sites
Sardis and Bin Tepe Join UNESCO World Heritage List, Bringing Türkiye’s Total to 22 Sites
July 12, 2025 – Manisa, Türkiye
The ancient city of Sardis and the Lydian burial mounds of Bin Tepe, located in Türkiye’s western Manisa province, have officially been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to an announcement made Saturday by the country’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
“This remarkable region, once the heart of the Lydian civilization and the birthplace of the world’s first coin, is now officially recognized as a shared treasure of humanity,” Ersoy shared in a post on social media.
He expressed gratitude to all contributors who supported the nomination and noted that this recognition aligns with the broader goals of the Century of Türkiye. He also encouraged the public to explore Sardis, especially under its new night museum program, which allows for evening visits to the historical site.
UNESCO Recognition
In a statement, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the inclusion was approved during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris.
“Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, located east of Manisa, have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List,” the ministry said.
With this latest addition, the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Türkiye has now reached 22.
Historical Significance
Sardis was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, a powerful state in the ancient world. The nearby Bin Tepe (“Thousand Mounds”) region contains dozens of tumuli—large burial mounds—believed to be royal Lydian tombs dating back to the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.
Together, the two sites represent a unique blend of cultural and archaeological heritage, illustrating the political, economic, and spiritual life of the ancient Lydian people.
