Aphrodisias Archaeological Site

Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias (Ἀφροδισιάς in Greek) is an ancient archeological site located 40 km (24 mi) South of E87 highway to Geyre in Caria region of Turkey. The name of the city is derived from a Greek goddess Aphrodite, deity of Love. Romans had a similar goddess, but they called her Venus. This ancient city boast one of the most elaborate and beautiful sanctuaries devoted to Aphrodite.

 

 

Location: 40 km (24 mi) South of E87 highway to Geyre   Map

Tel. (0256) 448 80 86

Open: 9am- 6pm daily

9am- 7pm daily summer

Entrance Fee: 10 TL

 

Description of Aphrodisias Archaeological Site

Temple of Aphrodite (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Temple of Aphrodite was the most important building in the city. It was a sanctuary to Greek goddess Aphrodite, deity associated with love in Greek mythology. The cult of Aphrodite began probably in the Archaic period, when the first temple was erected on this place. Remains of several shrines have been found underneath current Temple of Aphrodite. Among these were fragments of a mosaic from the Hellenistic period as well as pottery pieces from the older times. Current temple, those ruins you see today date back to the 1st century BC. Fortunately for us this ancient temple of Aphrodisias was not demolished, torn down or used as a quarry by local citizens. Instead it was turned into a Christian basilica in the 5th century AD as the new religion spread through a region, replacing older pagan gods.

 

Theatre or Odeon of Aphrodisias (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Theatre or Odeon of Aphrodisias was a focal point in lives of common citizens of Aphrodisias. Here people came to watch performances of various Greek writers and listen to concerts of choirs and music instruments. Additionally theatre was used for religious ceremonies, public disputes and council gathering (or Bouleuterion) that required large number of people. Odeon of Aphrodisias was fairly large. It could seat more than 1700 people at one time on 12 rows. Theatre of Aphrodisias was unearthed in 1962.

 

Museum of Aphrodisias (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Open: 9am- 7pm daily (except Monday) summer months
9am- 5pm (except Monday)

Museum of Aphrodisias is on site museum that contains large collection (over 12000 pieces) of various artefacts, sculpture, coins and other finds from archaeological digs in Aphrodisias. You can spend an hour in this place. Collection startes with finds from the prehistoric times around 5000 BC, then Bronze Age follows, Archaic period, Classic, Hellenistic and finally period of the Roman Empire. One of the most notable artefacts in the Museum of Aphrodisias is of course the statue of Aphrodite that once stood in the main temple of the cite, Temple of Aphrodite. The hours of operation vary slightly from the archaeological site of Aphrodisias. It is free if you buy a ticket to the site.

 

Sebasteion (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Sebasteion or Augusteum is a civil building that was dedicated to Imperial Sebastos or Greek equivalent of the Latin Augustus. Sebasteion of Aphrodisias contained a courtyard that measured 14 meters in wide flanked by two parallel three storied porticos with a length of 80 meters. Parts of the original building were heavily damaged in the earthquake of the 4th century AD and then again in the 7th century. This magnificent structure was discovered in 1979.

Monumental Gateway or Tetrapylon (AphrodisiasArchaeological Site)

Monumental Gateway or tetrapylon was constructed in the early 3rd century AD.  It leads from the North- West street into inner court sanctuary of the Temple of Aphrodite, patron of this ancient city. Its alternate name Tetrapylon of literally "gateways" in Greek is owned due to the fact it contained four rows of four columns. All pilgrims who came to pays their dues to the goddess Aphrodite in Aphrodisias would enter the inner court through this magnificent gate. Monumental Gateway is one of the most recognized buildings in the ancient Aphrodisias.

 

Hippodrome or Stadium (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Hippodrome or Stadium was an important facility in Aphrodisias. It is one of the best preserved such sports facility in the Ancient Roman Empire and one of the largest. It is 262 metres long, 59 metres wide. It also had 22 rows of seats for the spectators. In total Stadium of Aphrodisias could seat over 30,000 spectators. It was here that ancient Romans used to race their chariots in circles, gladiator fights, other athletic competitions and various religious and civil festivals. There are signs that Hippodrome was damaged by an earthquake of the 7th century AD, but even parts of the original building have crumbled it still was used for various sports.

 

Bouleuterion (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Bouleuterion is a building in the Roman city that housed City Council of Aphrodisias.

Sarcophagi (Aphrodisias Archaeological Site)

Sarcophagi are elaborate stone coffins that were made for the wealthy citizens of Aphrodisias. They were covered with elaborate ornaments, contained columns and various scenes from the ancient times. They were recovered during archaeological digs and stands today in various states of preservation.