Sardis is nominated for 2025 inscription. I think it should be as there isn't much Lydia related material on the list and the city played a key role and of course, coinage was "invented" there and without it I would be without a job today.

Sardis, an ancient city of great historical significance, was renowned for its wealth and cultural achievements. As the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, it thrived as a center of trade and innovation. Notably, it was where coinage was first minted, revolutionizing commerce. Sardis played a pivotal role in the Persian Wars, falling to Cyrus the Great in 546 BCE. Later, it became part of the Hellenistic world under Alexander the Great’s conquests and eventually came under Roman rule.

The site is small with just the gymnasium and synagogue and some baths, walls, and other smaller buildings left. The synagogue has a beautiful mosaic floor. It’s quite impressive. The gymnasium has its full facade left with lots of sculptures and bas reliefs. I really enjoyed the state of it and just this facade is worth visiting. Nearby is another Temple of Artemis (not sure if this will be part of the WHS) which is worth a stop for 30 minutes as well. I did not have time to visit the Tumuli.

I visited Sardis after my morning visit to Ephesus and ended the day in Izmir. Quite a long very long day. I would recommend doing it different. Visit half day Sardis and half day Izmir (another TWHS) on the same day. If you drive from Sardis to Izmir or the other way around at dinner time then visit Baska Kasap Steakhouse.