Recently, Turkey's open-air ancient monuments and historical theaters have become the center of attention for art lovers. Once hosting gladiator fights, theatrical performances, and tragedies, these historical sites still play an important role in cultural life today.
This summer, opera and ballet festivals will be held in a number of ancient cities in Turkey, turning centuries-old monuments into open-air art venues. Accompanied by historical landscapes, these events combine ancient heritage with performing arts.
Opera nights under the Aegean and Mediterranean skies
The festival season begins in the ancient city of Ephesus, one of Turkey's most famous archaeological sites. The 9th International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival will take place from June 26 to July 8. The festival program includes stage works such as "Swan Lake", "Carmina Burana", and "Toska". Under the starry sky, the ancient theater of Ephesus will once again gather performing arts enthusiasts from all over the world.
The next stage of the season will continue in Aspendos, a unique monument in Antalya. Being one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the Mediterranean region, Aspendos is also of special importance due to its perfectly preserved aqueduct system.
The ancient city has been hosting the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival for over thirty years. This year, the 33rd season of the festival will be held from September 12 to 26. Events will be presented in harmony with the unique acoustics and historical environment of the Aspendos theater.
The historical castle in Bodrum annually hosts a traditional ballet festival. This year's 23rd International Bodrum Ballet Festival will take place from July 31 to August 13.
In addition to opera and ballet festivals, various cultural events are organized throughout the year in Turkey's ancient cities. The Phaselis Festival brings together performances by renowned musicians in a historical setting, while the Bergama Theater Festival showcases theatrical works amidst ancient landscapes.
At the same time, ongoing archaeological excavations in the region are bringing new finds to light, enriching knowledge about the history of ancient destinations. In particular, a Roman-era mosaic depicting the young river god Eurymedon, associated with Aspendos, was recently discovered. Such finds demonstrate that cultural life and historical heritage in Turkey's ancient cities are still being consistently studied.
Ephesus, Aspendos, and Bodrum Castle are also recognized as important destinations for evening cultural life. Within the framework of the "Night Museums" initiative, Ephesus and Aspendos are open to visitors during the evening hours under special lighting.
The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is also included in the "Night Museums" project. The museum is open to visitors in the evenings, providing an opportunity to get acquainted with Bodrum's maritime history, ancient trade routes, and underwater archaeology finds.
Turkey's ancient stages are attracting public attention today not only with major events, but also with unexpected moments. A video showing a cat unexpectedly walking onto the stage during the final scene of the play "Romeo and Juliet" at an open-air theater in Izmir was viewed by millions. This situation left a warm impression on both the audience and the actors.
