Ancient Cities & Temples
Walk Through the Ruins of Time
From the legendary city of Troy to the marble-paved streets of Ephesus, the ancient cities of Türkiye and their temples tell stories carved in stone. These sacred and civic landmarks—some over 3,000 years old—bear witness to empires, faiths, and cultures that shaped world history.
Stand beneath the towering columns of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or stroll along the terraces of Hierapolis, where Roman baths meet sacred hot springs. Each site offers a vivid connection to the people who once lived, traded, worshipped, and dreamed here.
Sacred Routes Türkiye offers in-depth historical research, expert archaeological guidance, and complete logistical support to help you capture these timeless treasures with authenticity. Whether you are filming the grandeur of Greco-Roman theaters, exploring Hittite sanctuaries, or documenting ancient trade routes, we provide the knowledge, access, and storytelling expertise to bring the past to life on screen.
Sacred Routes Türkiye – your trusted partner for exploring, filming, and documenting the ancient heritage of Türkiye.
Key Filming Locations
Ephesus Ancient City & Temple of Artemis
Walk through the grand streets of Ephesus, once a thriving Roman port, and visit the site of the legendary Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Miletus Ancient City
Priene Ancient City
Temple of Apollo (Didyma)
Pergamon (İzmir – Bergama)
Assos & Temple of Athena
Explore More Filming Destinations
Amisos Hill (Samsun)
A Pontic Kingdom settlement overlooking the Black Sea, offering hilltop vistas, tumuli finds, and easy access from the modern city.
Tripolis Ancient City (Giresun – Tirebolu)
A 7th‑century BC coastal site on the Black Sea heritage route, with fortress remains set beside dramatic shoreline scenery.
Hadrianoupolis Ancient City (Karabük – Eskipazar)
A Roman religious center renowned for vibrant mosaics, ideal for close-up storytelling and faith history themes.
Ani Ancient City (Kars)
The medieval Armenian capital known as the City of 1001 Churches, set on windswept steppe with monumental cathedrals and walls.
Van Castle & Urartian Sites (Van)
A vast Urartian fortress above Lake Van, pairing basalt citadels with sweeping sunsets and a deep Iron Age legacy.
Altıntepe Urartian Fortress (Erzincan)
A rare Urartian stronghold crowning a high hill, offering commanding panoramas and well-preserved citadel remains.
Harput Ancient City (Elazığ)
A multi-layered urban conservation site where Urartian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman heritage meet around a clifftop castle.
Norşun Tepe Mound (Elazığ)
A Chalcolithic settlement mound prized by archaeologists, with excavation horizons that reveal early Anatolian lifeways.
Göbeklitepe (Şanlıurfa)
The world’s oldest known temple complex, with T‑shaped pillars and animal reliefs that reshape our understanding of prehistory.
Karahantepe (Şanlıurfa)
A Neolithic sister site within the Taş Tepeler group, featuring hundreds of pillars and striking human-head carvings.
Zeugma Ancient City (Gaziantep – Nizip)
A Roman frontier city on the Euphrates, celebrated for exquisite mosaics now showcased alongside riverside ruins.
Dara Ancient City (Mardin)
A late antique stronghold with vast cisterns, rock-cut galleries, and a strategic position on historic trade routes.
Mount Nemrut – Commagene Sanctuary (Adıyaman)
A mountaintop shrine of colossal statues and the royal tumulus of Antiochos, famous for sunrise and sunset silhouettes.
Alacahöyük (Çorum)
A major Hittite religious center with royal tombs and relief-carved sphinx gates, complementing Hattusa for a complete Bronze Age narrative.
Soğmatar Ancient City (Şanlıurfa – Harran)
An open-air sanctuary to the moon-god Sin, scattered with rock reliefs and altars across a stark plateau.
Amasra Ancient City (Sesamos) (Bartın)
A Phoenician-rooted harbor town shaped by Roman and Byzantine eras, uniting seaside charm with layered heritage and fortress views.
Sinope Ancient City (Sinop)
A leading Black Sea port of Greek colonization, famed for maritime walls and a long seafaring tradition along a natural harbor.
Hattusa Ancient City
Once the capital of the Hittite Empire, Hattusa impresses with its massive city walls, royal gates, and richly decorated temples.
Çatalhöyük (Konya)
One of the world’s oldest known settlements, Çatalhöyük offers a rare glimpse into Neolithic life with its mudbrick houses and intricate wall paintings.
Gordion Ancient City
Famed as the capital of ancient Phrygia, Gordion is known for its massive burial mounds, city fortifications, and the legendary story of the Gordian Knot.