Ancient Greek Colony Side Undergoes Major Restoration in Turkey
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesMore than 40 sites in the ancient Greek city of Side, on Turkey’s southern coast, have undergone excavation, restoration and landscaping since 2022 under Ankara’s “Legacy for the Future” project.
A panel at Side Museum, “Side Excavations: Approaching 80 Years,” reviewed the work. Speakers included excavation director Prof. Feriştah Alanyalı and Prof. Hüseyin Sabri Alanyalı, moderated by museum director Melih Kılınç.
Side, founded as a Greek colony by settlers from Aeolian Cyme in the 7th century BC, retains its Hellenistic planned layout, temples and theatre. Recent decades had turned it into more of a shopping zone than an ancient city; the project aims to reverse that with a visitor centre, guided routes and monument conservation. Visitor numbers have risen.
Excavations since 2009 cover about 250,000 m² across nearly 150 plots. They have clarified the city’s Greek urban plan and later Roman development under Hadrian. Rescue digs along the walls removed 600–700 truckloads of sand. Work continues on the land and sea walls and the West Gate.
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