Night Museum Concert Series to begin in Türkiye’s Ephesus

The first concert of the Night Museum Concert Series, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Fine Arts, is set to delight art lovers on Sept. 22.

The event will feature Antonio Vivaldi’s famous violin concerto, “The Four Seasons”, starting at 9 p.m., in the historic Ephesus Ancient City. The Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, preparing for its 50th anniversary season, will perform at the iconic Celsus Library, with renowned baroque violinist Andres Gabetta as the soloist.

What is night museum tourism at Ephesus?

Ephesus, located in the Selcuk district of Izmir, is a treasure trove of history, with its first settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. The city is renowned for its architectural relics from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Beylik, and Ottoman periods, showcasing Anatolia’s rich heritage. One of its main attractions is the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the ancient Anatolian mother goddess, Kybele, and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Since April 9, the ancient city of Ephesus, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, has been accessible for evening tours under the “Night Museum” initiative by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The project allows visitors to explore Ephesus after sunset, a unique experience enhanced by LED lighting throughout the archaeological site.

Evening visits provide cool escape

The “Night Museum” concept was designed particularly with summer tourists in mind. High daytime temperatures in coastal regions often drive tourists to beaches, but the initiative allows visitors to explore Ephesus during the cooler evening hours. The ancient city is open for visits until midnight, with standard ticket pricing applied.

The illumination adds a magical ambiance to several prominent structures, including the second-century Celsus Library, the Agora Square, Curetes Street, Domitian Temple, Trajan Fountain, the massive ancient theater with its 25,000 seating capacity, the stadium, and the old harbor.

Among these, the Celsus Library, standing 17 meters tall and 21 meters wide, becomes even more captivating under the night lights. The intricate architectural details, now highlighted, offer a stunning visual for evening visitors. The famed Terrace Houses, home to Ephesus’ elite during antiquity, are also included in the night tour experience.

Night museum visits boost tourist numbers

Cengiz Topal, director of the Ephesus Museum, expressed his satisfaction with the Night Museum initiative, noting the growing number of nighttime visitors. The enhanced lighting emphasizes the grandeur of the ancient ruins, which previously had minimal illumination along select routes.

The new night tour path includes the Lower Gate, Camli Road, Harbor Street, Marble Street, Celsus Library, Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Hadrian.

Since the introduction of Night Museum visits, visitor numbers have surged by 25% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the success of the initiative in offering a fresh and exciting way to experience the ancient marvels of Ephesus.