More than 40 sites in the ancient Greek city of Side, on Turkey\u2019s southern coast, have undergone excavation, restoration and landscaping since 2022 under Ankara\u2019s \u201cLegacy for the Future\u201d project.<\/p>\n A panel at Side Museum, \u201cSide Excavations: Approaching 80 Years,\u201d reviewed the work. Speakers included excavation director Prof. Feri\u015ftah Alanyal\u0131 and Prof. H\u00fcseyin Sabri Alanyal\u0131, moderated by museum director Melih K\u0131l\u0131n\u00e7.<\/p>\n Side, founded as a Greek colony by settlers from Aeolian Cyme in the 7th century BC, retains its Hellenistic planned layout, temples and theatre. Recent decades had turned it into more of a shopping zone than an ancient city; the project aims to reverse that with a visitor centre, guided routes and monument conservation. Visitor numbers have risen.<\/p>\n Excavations since 2009 cover about 250,000 m\u00b2 across nearly 150 plots. They have clarified the city\u2019s Greek urban plan and later Roman development under Hadrian. Rescue digs along the walls removed 600\u2013700 truckloads of sand. Work continues on the land and sea walls and the West Gate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/greekcitytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/175893-1024x679.webp)
<\/source><\/picture>