Fortifications of Iznik (Nicaea)

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 05/23/2024 - 13:59

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Iznik "The Highlights of Iznik. Treasures of the ancient Nicaea".

The town of Iznik (ancient Nicaea) is unique in many respects: it hosted two ecumenical councils, and its location on the lake (tr. İznik Gölü) makes it an attractive holiday destination. However, the most unavoidable feature of Iznik are the well-preserved fortifications that still surround the city today. When entering Iznik, you must pass through one of the historical gates, and while walking around the city, you will notice the layout of communication routes preserved from ancient times. They are based on two main arteries crossing Iznik from east to west and from north to south.

April 2024 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 05/01/2024 - 13:34

April 2024 saw the works nearing completion at ancient lighthouse of Patara, once the capital of the Lycian League. Meanwhile, during the archaeological excavations in Hıdırlık Tower, one of the historical symbols of Antalya, the famous holiday resort in the south of Turkey, an 800-metre-long colonnaded street of the Roman period was discovered. Finally, a new chapter in the Hittite world was revealed by painted hieroglyphs discovered in the Hattusa Yerkapı tunnel.

Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 04/20/2024 - 11:45

The Commercial Agora had three main gates, enabling access from the north onto Harbour Street, the south-east, and the west. The most impressive and best-preserved of these gates is the so-called Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates on the south-eastern side, very close to the Celsus Library. This monument is also the only large-scale structure of the Augustan building programme that survived the earthquake of 23 CE.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".

Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates in Ephesus

Great Theatre in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 17:32

The great theater of Ephesus is a splendidly preserved and very impressive building. This structure, built of marble, has a width of 145 meters, and its audience once reached up to 30 meters. In its heyday, it could accommodate up to 24,000 spectators.

Magnesian Gate Area in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 09:05

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".

The guided tours of Ephesus usually finish with the visit to the area of the State Agora and the monuments surrounding it. However, after leaving the archaeological site via the Southern Entrance, it is worthwhile to stay here for a moment or two, to see some ancient buildings situated outside the official sightseeing paths.