Thanks for all the emails and comments you have sent me about the list of 8 unmissable archeological structures from Turkey. I decided to create another list featuring ”Another 8 Amazing Archeological Structures from Turkey”.
Temple of Apollo (Didyma Ancient City in Aydin)
Considered the treasure of Didyma then known as Didymaion, the Temple of Apollo was built in 560 BC and became one of the most important prophecy centers of the ancient world. For a long time, the temple was run by the family who lived there, called the Branchidae. After Alexander the Great conquered Miletus in 334 BC, the management of the divination center in the region which was the temple of Apollo was given to the city of Miletus. The construction of the temple started around 300 BC and was never completed.
Temple of Trajan (Pergamon Ancient City in Izmir)
The building, which was started by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 114 AD, was finished by Emperor Hadrian after the death of Trajan. The temple is located at the highest point of the acropolis of Pergamon ancient city, right in the middle of the holy area. The heads of the colossal marble statues inside the temple, showing that these two emperors were worshiped simultaneously, are exhibited today in the Berlin Pergamon Museum.
Vespasianus Titus Tunnel (In Hatay City)
Titus Tunnel, which was started to be built by the Roman Emperor Vespasian and known to have been built by a thousand prisoners is in Hatay city of Turkey. Tunnel prevented the sand and pebbles carried by the flood caused by the massive amount of water from the nearby mountains, from filling the harbor. The tunnel is 380 meters long, 7 meters high and 6 meters wide.
Gymnasium of Sardis (Sardis Ancient City in Manisa)
The gymnasium of Sardis is just one of the baths in the city. The Gymnasium has a plan with symmetrical rooms on both sides of the hot and cold water pools positioned along its center. To the right of the complex is an open courtyard for ceremonies and exercises surrounded by porches, and to the left are bathing areas covered with large vaults. In the inscription engraved on the first-floor wall of the courtyard says that it was dedicated to Emperor Caracalla and Geta and their mother, Julia Domna. It is estimated that the complex was completed at the end of the 2nd or the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
Temple of Athena (Priene Ancient City in Aydin)
The temple of Athena is on a 96.76 meters high flat embankment
is sited. The Athena temple of Priene, which is dedicated to the “Polias Athena” (the founder of cities) is a work of the famous Anatolian architect Pytheos according to the ancient sources. It reflects the architectural features of the Hellenistic period.
Aspendos Ancient Theater (Aspendos Ancient City in Antalya)
Aspendos ancient theater is one of the largest of its kind. It was built by the Romans in Anatolia and one of the best preserved examples of Roman theater architecture today. The theater was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius which was between 160-180 AD. The inscription on the west entrance wall says that the architect was Zenon, son of Theodorus. It has a facade of about 100 meters wide and 22 meters high. The use of theater as a Seljuk palace and caravansary makes it a unique building.
Temple of Emperor Augustus (Ankara)
The temple of Augustus, which is adjacent to the Hacı Bayram Mosque in Ankara Ulus, was built in the name of the Phrygian god called ”Men” in 25 BC. Roman period Ankara developed around the hill where this temple is located. The temple was converted into a church by Christians. The temple, whose ruins are found today, was built by King Pilamenes, the son of the last Galatian ruler Amintos, as a sign of loyalty in the name of the Roman Emperor Augustus, but it is still called the Temple of Augustus.
Temple of Athena (Assos Ancient City in Canakkale City)
The Temple of Athena in Assos Ancient City, located at the highest point of the Assos, is known as the first and only Doric temple in Anatolia. The Temple was built in the Archaic period of Asia Minor. It is thought that the goddess statue in the sacred room of the temple dedicated was the protector goddess of the city. Athena statue was brought to America in the 1800s. Some of the friezes (reliefs) on the columns which are almost 5 meters long are in the Boston Museum, Louvre Museum, and Istanbul Archeology Museums.
Archeological Tour Guide in Turkey
Thanks again for all your mails and comments. If the list of ”Another 8 Amazing Archeological Structures from Turkey”, I promise to create another list :D. Contact me to hire a licensed tour guide in Turkey and to discover archeological treasures of Turkey. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.
