Overview:

: Miletus Ruins in Aydin Turkey offers a fascinating insight into the historic city of Miletus. The ruins of this magnificent city can be explored and admired, including the famous Temple of Apollo, walls of the acropolis, theatre, gymnasium, stadium, re-constructed monuments, and even the remains of the agora, one of the world’s oldest marketplaces. Located on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Aegean Sea in the southwestern part of Turkey, the ruins of Miletus attract many tourists and historians every year. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

The ruins of Miletus are located Southwest of the modern city of Aydin, Turkey. They are some of the best preserved archaeological sites in Anatolia and part of the Hephtalites group of the ancient Ionian cities. The main attractions of the Miletus site is the Apollo temple, the theatre, and the agora. The Apollo temple, which was originally built in the 6th century BC, is particularly impressive, with its Doric columns, sculptural decoration, and four monumental entrances. The theatre, situated high on the hillside, has been beautifully restored with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. The agora, which also dates from the 6th century BC, was a center for public and business activity, and still contains some of its reliefs and mosaics. Other sites of interest include the remains of the old aqueduct, Greek and Roman necropolises, and several smaller temples. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Miletus, in present day Aydin, Turkey was an ancient Greek city-state, an important harbor for trade and commerce in its time. It is one of the most impressive of many ruins in the region. Located near the coastline of the Aegean Sea, Miletus was known for its fine quality wool, perfumes, and metal goods, and as a city of art and architecture. The city first rose to prominence between 690 and 600 BC. During this “Golden Age”, Miletus served as an independent polis (city-state). It was situated in a key geographical location, at the mouth of the Maeander river, making it an important stop in the Mediterranean maritime trade routes. This allowed its citizens to become prosperous through various trading activities. Miletus flourished during the Classical Period of Ancient Greece (5th century BC), and was one of the most powerful cities in Anatolia. It was one of the 12 founding-members of the Ionian League, and was the birthplace of numerous noted philosophers, writers, and scientists. By the 4th century BC Miletus was becoming increasingly governed by outside powers, eventually falling to the Persians in 494 BC. Later, Miletus was captured by the Roman forces in 133 BC and became part of the Roman province of Asia Minor. Miletus was destroyed by the Arabs in the 7th century AD. However, the impressive ruins that remain today provide an impressive insight into the great city’s glorious past, and it is easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of the city during its prime. The major surviving monuments in the city include the Agora (marketplace), the theater, various other important civic buildings, and the Temples of Apollo and Dionysus. Today, the ruins of Miletus are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Milesians were said to have been the first to introduce coins to the world. 2. Miletus played an important role as a port city in Asia Minor as an export center where a variety of goods were exported from Mesopotamia and the Eastern Mediterranean. 3. Its strategic location along major trade routes connected it with Syria, Assyria, and Babylon. 4. The city was famous for its school of philosophy, where Thales and Anaximander lived and taught. 5. Miletus was also the location of one of the renowned Lyceums, or centers of learning, of the Classical Greek world, founded by Aristotle. 6. The ruins of Miletus were declared a World Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO. 7. The ruins of a priceless theater, agora, two holy springs, and smatters of ancient shrines still remain today. 8. The ruins of Miletus are one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Turkey and attract many tourists drawn to its historical significance. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era