Sardis: The Lydian Capital Where Coins Were Invented (202...

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Sardis is the magnificent ancient city in western Turkey where the world's first true coins were minted, making it a cradle of commerce. It is absolutely worth visiting for its colossal Roman-era gymnasium, the breathtaking mosaics of its ancient synagogue, and its pivotal role in history as the fabulously wealthy Lydian capital of King Croesus . The 3rd-century AD synagogue in Sardes (Sardis), where money was first minted, is the largest and most magnificent Jewish place of worship in the ancient world. Fact Detail Location Sart, near Salihli, Manisa Province, Turkey Period / Type Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine Ancient City Primary Significance Capital of the Lydian Kingdom; credited with the invention of coinage UNESCO Status On the Tentative List for World Heritage as "Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe" Entry Two separate ticketed areas; Museum Pass Turkey accepted (last checked September 2026 ) Typical Visit Length 2.5 - 3 hours to see both main sites Nearest Airport Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Driving Time from Izmir Approximately 1.5 hours (90-100 km) Best Months to Visit April-June, September-October What Is Sardis and Why Is It So Famous? Welcome to Sardis ! As licensed guides who have spent decades exploring every corner of Turkey , we find Sardis holds a special place in world history. Located on the fertile plains of the Gediz River (the ancient Hermus ) in modern-day Manisa province, Sardis (or Sart in Turkish) was the capital of the mighty Lydian Kingdom during its golden age in the 7th and 6th centuries BC . Its name is synonymous with unimaginable wealth, largely thanks to its legendary last king, Croesus . The phrase "as rich as Croesus " originates here, and for