Sardis

About

Settled for millenia, Sardis rose to prominence in the 7th and 6th centuries BC when it was the capital of the Lydian empire. Gold from the nearby river made it the the richest city in the world. Not only did they invent coinage, Croesus, the last Lydian King, funded the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, which became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city continued to flourish under Roman rule, lasting long enough to be mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Today, the ruins of Sardis present a fascinating archaeological timeline, starting with the 4th century Jewish-owned shops, and the largest early Synagogue in the Mediterranean. You’ll also find the restored Hellenistic gymnasium, Roman houses, and about 1km away, the remains of the Temple of Artemis and an early Christian church.