{"id":58763,"date":"2026-02-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/the-city-of-beauty-and-love-aphrodisias\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T13:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:49:46","slug":"aphrodisias-ancient-city-history-culture-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/aphrodisias-ancient-city-history-culture-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The city of beauty and love: Aphrodisias"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A brief history of the ancient city of Aphrodisias<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The remains of the Aphrodisias amphitheater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Founded in the 2nd century BCE after gaining city-state status, Aphrodisias began as a small settlement in the Hellenistic period and quickly became one of the region\u2019s major centers. Dedicated to Aphrodite, the city\u2019s patron goddess, the Temple of Aphrodite had existed since the 3rd century BCE and played a defining role in shaping the city\u2019s identity. Thanks to its close ties with the Roman Empire, Aphrodisias was granted special privileges, particularly from the 1st century BCE onward. Emperor Augustus famously declared, \u201cOf all Asia, I have chosen this city for myself,\u201d placing Aphrodisias under his protection. In 39 BCE, the Roman Senate granted the city tax exemption and autonomy. As a result, the city prospered rapidly and, thanks to its proximity to rich marble quarries, gained recognition for its sculpture school and marble artistry. Masters trained in Aphrodisias created works throughout the empire, making the city one of the ancient world\u2019s most important centers of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaching its peak during the Roman era in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, the city remained important until around the 6th century. With the spread of monotheism, Aphrodisias gradually lost its prominence. The temple was converted into a church toward the end of the 5th century, and during the Byzantine period, the city steadily shrank. In the Middle Ages, earthquakes and shifting trade routes led to the city\u2019s abandonment, leaving its remains buried and forgotten beneath the soil. The modern rediscovery of Aphrodisias, however, is particularly striking. In the mid-20th century, the renowned photographer Ara G\u00fcler came upon the area and introduced the monumental ruins he encountered to the world. Following this discovery, archaeological excavations were launched, bringing Aphrodisias back into the light and restoring it to its rightful place in cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The standout structures of Aphrodisias: the Sebasteion, the Theater, the Stadium, and the Temple of Aphrodite<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Aphrodisias Stadium, one of the best-preserved stadiums of the ancient world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walking through Aphrodisias, you don\u2019t need much imagination to grasp the scale of the ancient world. The city\u2019s most important structure is the Temple of Aphrodite, built for the goddess believed to protect Aphrodisias. It served as the city\u2019s spiritual center. The entrance is through the Tetrapylon, a monumental gate whose sixteen reconstructed columns now stand again, quietly dramatic and hard to miss, especially for anyone holding a camera. The temple draws the eye with its Ionic design. It later became a basilica in late antiquity, yet it never lost its weight or authority. Even today, the structure feels grounded, solid, and present. Nearby, the ancient theater rises along the slope. With space for tens of thousands of spectators, it offers a clear glimpse into the city\u2019s cultural life. Standing among the seating rows or near the stage, it is easy to picture crowds gathering, voices carrying, and performances unfolding. Then there is the stadium. Vast, elliptical, and remarkably intact. With a capacity of around thirty thousand, it was one of the largest stadiums of the ancient world. Athletic contests, public events, and gladiatorial fights all took place here. What makes it striking now is not just its size but how little of it has been lost to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A multi-level ancient building fa\u00e7ade with mythological reliefs and sculptures set between columns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Aphrodisias comes up, it\u2019s impossible to overlook the Sebasteion, the city\u2019s most ornate and visually striking structure. Dedicated to the Roman imperial dynasty, this monumental temple complex is best known for its marble reliefs. Carved with scenes of emperors alongside mythological figures, these panels are rare works that capture the artistic language of their era. Walking among the Sebasteion\u2019s remains, you can sense how the city\u2019s people once expressed both their loyalty to the emperor and their faith in the gods through monumental architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The city\u2019s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List and its significance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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An architectural frieze detail from the ancient city of Aphrodisias, featuring theatrical masks and mythological face reliefs carved into stone blocks and connected by garlands of fruit and leaves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The ancient city of Aphrodisias was added to UNESCO\u2019s Tentative World Heritage List in 2009 and inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2017. That decision formally recognized the city\u2019s universal values. The UNESCO listing encompasses not only the ancient city itself but also the marble quarries located just to the northeast, thereby protecting the very marble sources that underpinned the city\u2019s wealth. The main reason for Aphrodisias\u2019 inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List is its exceptionally well-preserved monumental architecture and its unique tradition of marble craftsmanship. The city\u2019s buildings and hundreds of inscriptions reveal cultural interactions spanning a broad period, from the Late Hellenistic to the Byzantine eras. Sculptors trained in Aphrodisias gained wide renown in the ancient world through works that spread throughout the empire. By including Aphrodisias on the list, UNESCO has underscored the city\u2019s importance in the history of art, belief, and urban life. As a result, Aphrodisias has become widely known and is attracting greater interest from visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When is the best time to visit Aphrodisias?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The columns of the Temple of Aphrodite rising among poplar trees in the ancient city of Aphrodisias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best times to visit Aphrodisias in the Aegean Region are spring and autumn. In spring, the weather is mild, the surroundings are in full bloom, and with crowds still limited, the site can be comfortably explored. In autumn, the intense summer heat has passed, allowing you to enjoy the ancient city in a cooler, calmer atmosphere. These seasons are also ideal for photography; near sunset, the \u201cgolden hour\u201d light highlights the ancient structures. During the summer months, the area can become quite hot. If you plan to visit in summer, it is advisable to choose early morning or late afternoon rather than midday. When exploring during the hottest hours, it is important to have a hat, sunscreen, and water with you. In winter, the weather can be cold and rainy. Visitor numbers are low during this period, and the archaeological site is generally quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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D\u00fcnya daha b\u00fcy\u00fck, ke\u015ffet!<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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