Location: For a brief information about the Aegean region which is situated in the western part of Turkey which took the name of the Aegean Sea that extends from the Mediterranean northward between Greece and Turkey. Because the region has been a home for many civilizations there are many ancient cities such as Aphrodisias, Pergamum, Thyatira and more.

Rivers: There are four main rivers in the region which are Gediz (Hermos) river that has the length of 401km which originates from western central Anatolia and flows into the Izmir Gulf near Foca, Bakircay (Caicus) River has the length of 129km originating from the mount Omer and flows into the sea at Candarli Gulf, Kucuk Menderes (Cayster River) is 175km long and flows into the Aegean Sea in Selcuk which made the harbor city Ephesus 8km away from the sea with the alluviums and lastly the longest river of the region is the Meander which has the length of 584km which with the alluviums it brought to the bay where it flowed was filled and formed Bafa Lake and made the ancient harbor city Miletos a city 10km away from the sea.  

Aydin: To begin with Aydin (Tralles) which is the twenty second largest city in Turkey, 65km away from Kusadasi where olive, fig, oranges, tangerines, cotton, tobacco and sunflower grow. The industry of the city is based on olive oil, soap, textile and cement. Aydin, ancient name Tralles was the home of one of the architects of Hagia Sophia who was not only an architect but also a mathematician and an engineer. He, with another architect of those times called Isidorus who was born in Miletos built the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul for the Byzantines in the reign of Justinian I. 

Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias: One of the ancient cities in this region is Aphrodisias, now called Geyre, 170km away from Kusadasi. The goddess of love Aphrodite gave the name to the ancient city Aphrodisias which was one of the ancient cities dedicated to Aphrodite.    

Thyatira: Akhisar, ancient name Thyatira, was originally a military fort for Seleucus Nicator who re-founded the ancient city in the 3rd century BC. years after it had become the city of trade and had become wealthy with its skilled workers who were a member of a union such as tailors, potters and bakers. Thyatira is not only famous for being a commercial city but also famous for being one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. 

Pergamum

Pergamum: Pergamum, now known as Bergama, was located by the river Bakircay (Caicus). After the death of Alexander the Great, one of his generals called Lysimachus, under the guardianship of his lieutenant, chose Pergamum as the depository for his 9000 talents of gold and placed them in here. Right after the death of Lysimachus, his lieutenant Philetaerus, with this fortune, established the dynasty of the Attalid Kings. Years after Pergamum became the capital city of Hellenistic kingdom which became powerful, rich in cultural and architectural way during the reign of the King Attalus I and the King Eumenes II when it aimed to be and became friends with Rome. The city went through the Romans, Arabs, Byzantine and the Turks. Just like Thyatira, Pergamum was one of the Seven churches of Revelation. Pergamum is full of historical beauties which are worth seeing. 

   The Acropolis which had the social, religious and cultural functions. One can see the Heroon in Pergamum which is a shrine where the King Attalus I and Eumenes II were worshipped. The Sanctuary of Athena was dedicated to victory-bringing Athena by the King Eumenes II. The Library of Pergamum was the second of the three famous ancient libraries. The Temple of Trajan was dedicated to Trajan which was built by its successor Hadrian. The Theatre in the acropolis of Pergamum is said to be the steepest raked Hellenistic theatre in the world which had the capacity of 10,000 seats. The Zeus Altar was built in 180 BC which could be accepted as the finest altar that has ever been built.

The Red Court (Kizil Avlu) was built in the 2nd century AD which was dedicated to Egyptian gods and goddesses. Asclepieum was a healing center which was built in the 4th century BC, was in the name of the healing god Asclepius. The Colonnaded Road used to be 820 meters but today just a small part of the road can be seen. The Propylon at the end of the colonnaded road was built in the 2nd century AD. The Library used for both educational and entertaining purposes.

   The Theatre had the capacity of 3500 people where the patients were entertained. The Sacred Fountain's water was believed to heal the people. The Sleeping Rooms were the rooms where the patients went on sleeping and their dreams analyzed. Apart from the sleeping rooms, there were the Tunnel under where water was flowing and used for providing relaxing sounds and the Round Treatment Center was also used for the treatments of patients. The Temple of Asclepius could be accepted as one of the earliest structures with a dome in Anatolia. 

Bodrum: Not only a holiday resort but also an ancient city Bodrum (Halicarnassus) was found in the 11the century BC which was the home of the famous historian Herodotus. He was known to have traveled through the Mediterranean and written the first history book therefore he was also called the father of the history. It is 149km away from Kusadasi.

Bodrum

Marmaris: Just like Bodrum, Marmaris is a holiday village by the Aegean Sea. In winters it is calm and the only habitants are the local Marmaris people however in summers Marmaris is a tourist resort with its wonderful harbor. It is 220km away from Kusadasi.

Dalyan: Dalyan (Fish Weir) and Caunus are located on the either sides of Dalyan Cayi (Dalyan River). Caunus people were the natives of Caria who were resisted the Persians during their conquest of Caria. Years after Egyptians sold Caria to Rhodes. The Hellenistic Fortification remains, Lycian Tombs, Hellenistic Stoa, Fountain House, Palaestra, Theatre, Byzantine Church and the Terrace Temple are the worth seeing ruins in the ancient city of Caunus.

NEXT>>>