Visitors expected as Tralleis prepares for reopening
Professor Murat Çekilmez's lifelong dream of unearthing the secrets of Tralleis, an ancient city steeped in history, is finally coming true. Situated in picturesque Aydın, this 3,000-year-old relic has been the center of Professor Çekilmez's academic and professional journey since his first internship in 2002.
From his beginnings as a first-year archaeology student to becoming a faculty member at Aydın Adnan Menderes University and, ultimately, the head of excavations at Tralleis, Çekilmez's passion for the ancient city has never waned. Now, he's setting his sights on a new goal: opening the site to the public.
From 9-to-5 digging to 14-hour workdays
Çekilmez, speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, reminisced about his initial days at Tralleis in 2002. "I was bursting with excitement," he recalled. "My dream back then was to one day lead this excavation, and now, I do." With the site's expected public opening set for August 2025, the dream continues to unfold.
Working at Tralleis is more than just an honor for Çekilmez; it's a mission rooted in preservation, research, and public engagement. Encouraging footsteps from all over the world to wander its ancient grounds is a central part of this mission.
From Hellenistic to Byzantine, a history that's ripe for the taking
Tralleis, located in the Efeler district of Aydın, was founded by Thracians and Argives around 3,000 years ago. During the Roman period, the city flourished as a center of commerce and culture. It's even believed to be the site where the world's first notated music was written, making it a key point in history[1][2][3][4].
Over the past 29 seasons, excavations at Tralleis, spearheaded by Professor Çekilmez and his colleagues, have unearthed and restored significant urban features from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The ongoing efforts have revealed fascinating structures like a marble-paved main street, the well-preserved Roman gymnasium complex, and a theater, among others[1][3][4][5].
A cultural landmark for Anatolia
The site's restoration efforts have been funded by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Legacy for the Future Project," a key initiative aimed at reviving and opening historical sites to tourism and fostering public engagement.
When Tralleis opens its doors to the public in August 2025, visitors can expect an unparalleled chance to walk on the very stones that have borne witness to millennia of history. Tralleis is poised to become a major cultural and historical attraction in the Aydın region, offering a unique, immersive glimpse into ancient life[1][3][4].
Professor Çekilmez, who has been intimately involved with Tralleis since his student days, continues to lead the excavation and public opening preparations, working tirelessly to ensure that this ancient city becomes a beacon of educational and cultural tourism in Turkey.
[1] https://digginghistory.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-excavations-at-tralleis.html[2] https://www.todayzaman.com/investigation-tralleis-ancient-city-rocks-antiquities-department-and-directorate-general-for-exhibitions-in-charged-archaeological-research-selection-criteria-585728[3] https://www.elevenpoints.org/tralleis/[4] https://web.archive.org/web/20170628024940/http://www.tralleis.com/[5] https://www.excavations.academy/project/tralleis/
In line with the mission of preservation, research, and public engagement, Professor Çekilmez aims to open the ancient city of Tralleis to the public, offering visitors a unique opportunity to walk on stones that have borne witness to millennia of history, thereby providing an immersive glimpse into the lifestyle and travel experiences of ancient times.
The upcoming public opening of Tralleis will not only serve as a significant step towards cultural and historical tourism but also as a platform for experiencing the evolution of Tralleis, from its Hellenistic origins to the Byzantine era, where one can explore restored urban features such as a marble-paved main street, a well-preserved Roman gymnasium complex, and a theater.
