Located within the borders of the ancient region of Bithynia, the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium is situated today in the Konuralp District, approximately 8 kilometers from the city center of Düzce, in the Western Black Sea Region of Türkiye. As in many ancient settlements across the country, Prusias ad Hypium experienced continuous habitation throughout the ages. Despite this uninterrupted settlement, the city has managed to preserve a significant portion of its archaeological heritage, making it more fortunate than many other comparable sites.

With a history spanning nearly 2,500 years, Prusias ad Hypium hosts numerous monumental structures dating to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including a well-preserved theatre, the "Horse Gate" (a monumental gate from the Late Roman period), Roman aqueducts, a Roman bridge, and city walls incorporating votive inscriptions reused as spolia from earlier periods. Additionally, architectural remains from the Ottoman era reflect the city's long-standing historical continuity and multi-layered cultural identity.

The earliest systematic archaeological survey of the site was conducted between 1948 and 1950 by archaeologist İsmail Kılıç Kökten. Between 1948 and 1960, further excavations were carried out under the direction of Rüstem Duyuran, then Director of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. In 1998, rescue excavations were undertaken by the same institution. Following a long pause, systematic excavations resumed between 2013 and 2019 in the theatre area, under the collaboration of Düzce University’s Department of Archaeology and the Konuralp Museum Directorate. Since 2019, year-round excavations have continued under the scientific supervision of the Department of Archaeology at Ankara University’s Faculty of Languages, History and Geography, with the leadership of the Konuralp Museum and the support of the Düzce Municipality. Between 2016 and 2021, the Konuralp Museum also conducted excavations in the western part of the city, where the Roman bridge and its surroundings were uncovered and subsequently restored. During the same period, impressive floor mosaics were revealed in Aynalı Village through further archaeological investigations.

As a result of these extensive archaeological discoveries and conservation efforts, Prusias ad Hypium has come to be known as the “Ephesus of the Western Black Sea” and was officially designated as an “urban archaeological site.” The site’s numerous movable and immovable cultural assets not only reinforce the historical identity of Konuralp but also position it as a key destination in terms of cultural heritage tourism. In this regard, Prusias ad Hypium possesses significant potential for archaeological tourism. The physical remains presented to visitors appeal not only to academic circles but also to cultural tourists. The transformation of archaeological heritage into a touristic product not only contributes to the local and national economy but also promotes a sustainable approach to heritage management. This study aims to evaluate how the uncovering, preservation, and presentation of the archaeological heritage of Prusias ad Hypium contributes to its tourism potential and underscores the importance of assessing this ancient settlement from both cultural and economic perspectives.