Located in the Salihli district of Manisa, the historic Sardis Ancient City and the Bin Tepe Lydian Tumuli have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Once the capital of the Lydian civilization, the region holds significant importance in terms of global cultural heritage preservation.

Known as the birthplace of the first coin, the Lydians left behind a vast 7,500-hectare necropolis, distinguished by its impressive fortification walls estimated to be 15–20 meters high. Sardis had been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2013, and was unanimously added to the permanent list during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris.

Excavations and preservation efforts in the Sardis area are led by the Sardis Excavation Directorate and continue through interdisciplinary approaches in collaboration with national and international institutions.

With this inscription, the number of Turkish sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List has risen to 22.