What Was Found Near Salihli?
The summer 2026 excavation at the ancient city of Sardis, in the Salihli district of Manisa, uncovered a 2.2-meter marble statue of a young man dating to the first half of the 5th century BCE. The statue had been reused face-down as paving in a Roman-era colonnaded street, which is exactly what kept it so well preserved for roughly 2,500 years. Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which coordinates the dig, called it a rare surviving example of sculpture from its period.
A Short History of Sardis and the Lydians
Sardis was the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom, the city most associated with the legendary wealth of King Croesus. Its ruins include a monumental Temple of Artemis, a colonnaded avenue, and a synagogue. Finds like this statue keep adding detail to a site that layers Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman history on top of each other.
What to Know Before Visiting the Site
The Sardis site is spread over a large area with limited shade, so bring comfortable walking shoes and water. Plan on an hour and a half to two hours to see it properly. If you also want to see the Sardis Archaeological Museum, treat it as a separate stop — doing both back-to-back in one visit is a lot. Opening hours and access can change by season, so check the official museum announcements before you go rather than relying on an old schedule.
Who Should Visit — and Who Shouldn't
Sardis rewards ancient history fans, archaeology students, and couples looking for an unhurried day out. It's tougher going for anyone sensitive to heat or reluctant to walk long distances, since shade is scarce, especially around midday. Kids may enjoy spotting the statues and columns, but there's no playground-style open space to burn off energy, so set expectations accordingly.
Getting from the Airport to Manisa
A private transfer from İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Manisa takes roughly 50-60 minutes on average (about 35 miles), depending on traffic. You can head straight to the Sardis site or stop in central Manisa first — worth agreeing the order with your driver in advance so you use the day efficiently. See our İzmir Airport to Manisa transfer page for details.
Pairing Sardis with the Rest of Manisa
Rather than treating Sardis as a stand-alone day trip, most visitors pair it with central Manisa. Spend the morning at the ruins, then head into town in the afternoon — our guide to Manisa's mesir paste tradition and city center covers what to see and taste there. If you like stacking ancient cities on one trip, our guide to Bergama (Pergamon) covers another layered historical site in the same region, best kept as a separate day. Which stop would you pair Sardis with?