Culture & Tourism: Turkish Ministry launches Night Museums Project
KARACHI: The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched its expanded Night Museums Project for 2025, opening 27 of the country's most significant archaeological sites and museums for evening visits.
According to the details, the initiative, which welcomed over 395,000 visitors in its inaugural season last year, aims to transform cultural tourism by offering visitors a unique after-dark experience at some of Türkiye's most treasured historical landmarks.
The project, which began June 1, extends operating hours at renowned sites from Istanbul's iconic Galata Tower to the ancient underground cities of Cappadocia, supporting the government's broader vision of distributing tourism across all 81 cities and throughout the year.
The crown jewel of the programme remains the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient city of Ephesus in ?zmir, which stays open until 11:00pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays.
In Istanbul, the Archaeological Museums, Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, and Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum welcome visitors until 10:00pm, while the historic Galata Tower extends its hours until 11:00pm
The fairy-tale landscape of Nev?ehir provides access to its famous underground cities of Derinkuyu, Kaymakl?, and Özkonak until 9:00pm, offering visitors a mystical journey through ancient carved chambers.
The dramatic Nemrut Mountain Archaeological Site in Adıyaman offers a unique dawn experience, with illuminated access available from 4:00am to 9:00am.
The site features monumental limestone statues commissioned by King Antiochus I of Commagene.
In Antalya, the popular Mediterranean destination features extended hours at various museums and archaeological sites including Aspendos, Patara, and Side until 10:00pm.
The capital's Anatolian Civilizations Museum showcases artifacts from Hittite, Urartian, Sumerian, and Phrygian civilizations until 9:00pm, while Şanlıurfa massive museum with its 4.5 kilometer exhibition route displaying approximately 10,000 artifacts also extends hours until 9:00pm. The Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, featuring 2,500 square meters of Roman-era mosaics, opens until 9:00pm.
The Night Museums Project addresses tourism challenges by distributing visitor traffic throughout the day and offering cooler evening exploration during Turkey's hot summer months.
The initiative transforms industrial heritage sites as well, including İzmir's 140-year-old Alsancak Tekel Factory, now converted into the Müze İzmir Culture and Art Factory.
The expanded 2025 programme includes enhanced lighting installations designed to create immersive storytelling experiences that bring Turkey's multi-civilizational heritage to life, aligning with Turkey's ambitious tourism targets to welcome 65 million visitors and generate $64 billion in tourism revenue.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Culture & Tourism: Turkish Ministry launches Night Museums Project
KARACHI: The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched its expanded Night Museums Project for 2025, opening 27 of the country's most significant archaeological sites and museums for evening visits. According to the details, the initiative, which welcomed over 395,000 visitors in its inaugural season last year, aims to transform cultural tourism by offering visitors a unique after-dark experience at some of Türkiye's most treasured historical landmarks. The project, which began June 1, extends operating hours at renowned sites from Istanbul's iconic Galata Tower to the ancient underground cities of Cappadocia, supporting the government's broader vision of distributing tourism across all 81 cities and throughout the year. The crown jewel of the programme remains the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient city of Ephesus in ?zmir, which stays open until 11:00pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays. In Istanbul, the Archaeological Museums, Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, and Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum welcome visitors until 10:00pm, while the historic Galata Tower extends its hours until 11:00pm The fairy-tale landscape of Nev?ehir provides access to its famous underground cities of Derinkuyu, Kaymakl?, and Özkonak until 9:00pm, offering visitors a mystical journey through ancient carved chambers. The dramatic Nemrut Mountain Archaeological Site in Adıyaman offers a unique dawn experience, with illuminated access available from 4:00am to 9:00am. The site features monumental limestone statues commissioned by King Antiochus I of Commagene. In Antalya, the popular Mediterranean destination features extended hours at various museums and archaeological sites including Aspendos, Patara, and Side until 10:00pm. The capital's Anatolian Civilizations Museum showcases artifacts from Hittite, Urartian, Sumerian, and Phrygian civilizations until 9:00pm, while Şanlıurfa massive museum with its 4.5 kilometer exhibition route displaying approximately 10,000 artifacts also extends hours until 9:00pm. The Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, featuring 2,500 square meters of Roman-era mosaics, opens until 9:00pm. The Night Museums Project addresses tourism challenges by distributing visitor traffic throughout the day and offering cooler evening exploration during Turkey's hot summer months. The initiative transforms industrial heritage sites as well, including İzmir's 140-year-old Alsancak Tekel Factory, now converted into the Müze İzmir Culture and Art Factory. The expanded 2025 programme includes enhanced lighting installations designed to create immersive storytelling experiences that bring Turkey's multi-civilizational heritage to life, aligning with Turkey's ambitious tourism targets to welcome 65 million visitors and generate $64 billion in tourism revenue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Flights to Mohenjo Daro
Listen to article The Sindh High Court's Larkana circuit bench has directed the Civil Aviation Authority to enforce its March 9, 2022 order for the resumption of flights at Mohenjo Daro Airport. The order comes after repeated delays and broken commitments by PIA, which had suspended flights in November 2018, despite earlier assurances to restore full operations. The court's intervention is a step in the right direction, but the fact that petitioners had to seek legal recourse for something so fundamental speaks volumes about the authorities' indifference toward critical infrastructure in Sindh. Mohenjo Daro must be considered more than just an airport serving a small town - it is a gateway to one of the world's most significant archaeological sites. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mohenjo Daro attracts archaeologists, historians and tourists from across the world. However, the lack of regular flights has severely impacted accessibility, limiting research and tourism, which directly affects economic activity in the region. Tourism is a key driver of economic growth, and Mohenjo Daro has the potential to attract thousands of visitors annually. Restoring flights would not only boost tourism but also create jobs and generate revenue for local businesses. Despite earlier court orders, authorities have failed to prioritise the airport's functionality. Even more troubling is the reported restriction on private airlines, which could have stepped in to fill the gap left by PIA's failure. If the national carrier is unable or unwilling to fulfil its responsibilities, there is no justification for preventing private carriers from operating. Ensuring reliable air connectivity to Mohenjo Daro is a necessity for preserving and promoting Pakistan's rich heritage. The authorities must act without further delay. The court has spoken; now, it is time for immediate and meaningful action.
