The Ancient City of Sardis located within the Sart town of Salihli district of Manisa city had been the capital of Lydia Kingdom in Iron Age. Sardis as the capital of a kingdom ruling over the West Anatolia, the birthplace of coinage and the hometown of Crosesus whose name became synonymous with unimaginable wealth is one of significant ancient cities in the world. The city is unique in terms of urban planning surrounded by the biggest defence fortification except for the one in Mesopotamia. The ancient city has probably the most spectacular extant Ionian temples of the world, a monumental hamam-gymnasium complex within preserved Roman buildings and the largest synagogue of the ancient world. Sardis as the capital of Lydian is the sole city directly connected with this kingdom.

Bin Tepe located on the south of the Lake Marmara is a Lydian tumuli area, also the largest tumuli of the world. Lydian tumuli are important in reflecting the landscaping in 5th and 6th century BC. Bin Tepe closely linked to the kingdom cemetery Sardis is not just a cemetery area of Lydian period with pre and post period remains but also a monument reflecting the continuum of the culture.