The Side Ancient City in Manavgat district of Antalya, located in Türkiye's Mediterranean region and bearing traces from the Late Bronze Age, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, now welcomes visitors after dark through the "Heritage for the Future Project."
Situated in the ancient region of Pamphylia and historically one of the most important port cities, Side has been the focus of continuous archaeological excavations since 1947. These ongoing digs have uncovered priceless artifacts each year. Among the city’s treasures are the ancient temples of Athena and Apollo, dating back over 2,000 years, which still reflect the grandeur of their time.
Ahmet Emre Cengiz, president of the Manavgat Industrialists and Business People Association (MASIAD), made important statements about the lighting works carried out at the Temple of Apollo within the scope of the “Legacy for the Future Project” in Side Ancient City. Cengiz emphasized that this symbolic structure is no longer merely a historical monument but also represents Türkiye’s global face in tourism.
The Temple of Apollo, one of Türkiye’s most impressive ancient structures, has gained a much stronger visual impact with its nighttime illumination. Cengiz stated that the lighting of the temple has added a new dimension to the tourism showcase of both Side and Türkiye: “The Temple of Apollo is one of the most important symbols representing Türkiye at international tourism fairs. With its nighttime illumination, this symbolic value has become even more visible. As MASIAD, we are extremely proud to sponsor this project,” he said.
As part of the project, the Temple of Apollo and the entire ancient city of Side have now been opened to nighttime museum access. This offers an alternative visiting hour for tourists who cannot visit during the daytime due to the intense summer heat. MASIAD’s role in this process is not only a sponsorship but also a gesture of embracing cultural heritage and contributing to regional development.
“Through this project, we are both protecting our history and revitalizing the regional economy. Nighttime museum access allows Side to offer its visitors an unforgettable experience at all hours,” said Cengiz.
The record-breaking announcements about Antalya’s tourism made by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy were also welcomed by MASIAD. Minister Ersoy declared that on July 26, 104,359 foreign tourists entered Antalya – marking the highest daily visitor number to date. He stated that since the beginning of the year, over 8.5 million foreign visitors have chosen Antalya.
Cengiz said these figures prove how accurate the tourism investments in the region have been.
“These numbers show that Antalya is no longer just a vacation destination, but a city playing a leading role in global tourism. As industrialists and business people, we are fulfilling our duties to support this rise.”
Cengiz concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of all stakeholders working in cooperation to maintain the current positive momentum in tourism. He stated that MASIAD would continue to contribute not only through industrial and economic initiatives but also through cultural projects.
