Aspendos

Aspendos, located beside the River Eurymedon (Kopriicay) is known throughout the world for its magnificent ancient amphitheatre. The city itself dates back to the 5th century B.C., whereas the theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D. Like neighbouring Perge, it was the scene of many battles ad changes of sovereignty, including Alexander in 334 B.C. and eventually became part of the Kingdom of Pergamum, until 133 B.C. Aspendos, like most of the other Pamphylian cities, reached its height in the second and third centuries A.D. Most of the monumental architecture still visible here today dates back this golden age. We know from inscriptions in the southern parados that the theatre was constructed during the reign of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A.D.) by the architect Zeno, the son of the an aspendian named Theodores.

At the beginning of the thirteenth centry, Aspendos began to bear the imprint for settlement by the Seljuk Turks, especially during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubat I. when the theatre was thourogly restored, embellished in Seljuk style with elegant tiles, and used place.


 

This magnificent theatre, whose acoustics were famous even when it was first built, is today used for staging concerts, festivals and grease wrestling (as well as for private performances of folklore offered to participants in international congresses). In addition, the basilica, monumental fountain and the aqueducts are of special interest.




 

Xanthos

Patara

Lycia

Kas (Antiphellos)

Simena

Myra

Phaselis

Olympos

Church of St. Nicholas - Myra

Aspendos