Detailed Information About the Ancient City of Aspendos
Location:
Aspendos is located in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey, near the village of Belkıs in the Serik district of Antalya. It is about 40 kilometers from Antalya city center.
History:
Founded by the Achaeans in the 10th century BC, Aspendos was one of the major cities of the ancient Pamphylia region. The city flourished during the Roman period and became especially famous for its theater. During the Seljuk era, the theater was restored and used as a caravanserai.
The Theater:
The Aspendos Theater was built in the 2nd century AD by the Roman architect Zenon. With a capacity of about 15,000 people, it is one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world. Its acoustics are so excellent that even a whisper on the stage can be heard clearly from the top rows.
Other Structures:
Besides the theater, Aspendos features ruins of an agora, basilica, aqueducts, stadium, and baths. The aqueducts are considered engineering marvels of their time, built to supply the city with water.
Tourism:
Today, Aspendos is a major archaeological site and open-air museum that attracts both domestic and international tourists. It also hosts cultural events and festivals each year.