Night museums draw over 361K visitors to Türkiye’s cultural treasures

Over 361,000 visitors explored archaeological sites and museums in western Türkiye as part of the groundbreaking Night Museum initiative, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Wednesday.

The initiative, designed to transform cultural tourism, offered an exciting new experience for visitors who wish to explore museums and ancient sites after dark, the ministry said in a statement.

Ephesus, Hierapolis lead night museum initiative

Launched in April, the Night Museum project quickly became a popular attraction. Between April and September, a staggering 284,240 people visited the iconic Ephesus archaeological site in Izmir, while 76,975 explored the ancient city of Hierapolis in Denizli.

In total, 361,215 visitors experienced Türkiye’s unique cultural heritage in an enchanting nighttime setting, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said on X, formerly Twitter.

New era in cultural tourism

Minister Ersoy emphasized the initiative’s success in enhancing historical sites’ appeal: “The Night Museum project has added a whole new dimension to how we experience our cultural treasures.”

Looking to the future, he shared the ministry’s plans to expand the initiative: “In the coming years, we will implement the Night Museum concept in additional locations, further promoting the cultural riches of our country to an even wider audience.”

Nighttime heritage exploration to grow

As Türkiye aims to extend the night museum experience across the country, more visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in the nation’s historic sites, enjoying their splendor in a uniquely atmospheric setting.

This initiative marks an innovative shift in how Türkiye’s ancient sites are showcased, offering a blend of culture, history, and modern tourism strategies.