Night museum initiative boosts visitor activity at Olympos Ancient City

Visitor activity at Olympos, one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization in Antalya's Kumluca district, has increased further with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's night museum application. Under the Ministry's 'Heritage for the Future Project,' excavation work is carried out year-round at the city, where artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods are being uncovered while environmental arrangements, walking routes, and lighting works are also being implemented. In Olympos, one of the cities applying night museology, lighting work has allowed visitors to come in the evening hours as well. Especially since daytime temperatures are high, tourists have started to visit Olympos more frequently after dark. Located within the boundaries of Beydağları Coastal National Park, Olympos captivates visitors with its deep history, ruins, unique nature, and coastline, and visitor activity in the evening has increased even more since the start of the night museum program. Olympos Ancient City Excavation Chief and Associate Professor Dr. Gökçen Kurtuluş Öztaşkın from Pamukkale University stated that thanks to the night museology application, the ancient city can now be visited until 9:00 PM. Starting next year, the historic site will be open for visits until midnight. Öztaşkın added, 'Walking around the ancient city is much more comfortable when the air is cooler and it's dark. We observe that people are more engaged and pay more attention to their surroundings during evening visits.' Öztaşkın explained that visitors to Olympos have the chance to see significant artifacts such as churches, the bishop's palace, the Lycian Marcus Aurelius Arkhepolis Monumental Tomb, mosaic structures, and the Antimakhos Sarcophagus. He also noted that those who walk in the ancient city end their tour with a view of the deep blue sea, which adds to the city's appeal. Pension operator Halil Karataş expressed his happiness that many artifacts have been restored thanks to year-round excavations in Olympos. He said the lighting work has transformed the city's appearance, adding, 'After dinner, tourists take walks in the ancient city. Night museology has contributed to tourism and revitalized the region. The tourist profile visiting the area has also changed with night museology, attracting people who are respectful of nature and history and genuinely curious.'

Night museum initiative boosts visitor activity at Olympos Ancient City

Olympos in Antalya's Kumluca district sees increased evening visits thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's night museum program, enhancing tourism and showcasing its rich historical heritage.