A member of Ionian
Confederacy, Heraclea, was established on an earlier city called "Latmus" dated
back to the 8th century BC. The city took its name from the famous mythological
figure, Herakles.
Square & rectangular stone
walls in 6.5 km length with 65 towers, surrounding the ancient Heraclea. Well conditioned
"The Temple of Athena" stands on the rocky area behind the harbor as an example
of two-column Hellenistic construction with the style in Templum in Antis. On the
eastern side of the temple, is the rectangular constructed agora as a two storied
building. Only its first floor exists, today. The theatre is situated in the northeast of
the city. Building dedicated to shepherd, Endymion- who was loved by the
Goddess of Moon,
Selene and was put to sleep for eternity by God of Gods, Zeus, and is located on the road
to the shore and islands.
Heraclea became a safety land of hermitage
for the monks and priests in the early evangelization of Asia Minor Christianity. The
first monastery was established in the 7th century AD and many monasteries
-maybe 13, spread around Heraclea. A castle was constructed in order to protect monasteries
that were scattered through this wild region.
The caves around, which are considered to be inhabited by
the monks and hermits, are ornamented by marvelous frescoes representing the life of Jesus
Christ, Virgin Mary and the saints.
The site was excavated by a German team conducted by
Anneliese Peschlow.
How to Go?
Heraclea is located 79km south of Kusadasi, on the Soke
- Milas
highway ,inside the village of "Kapikiri". Agencies in Kusadasi provide
reasonable packet tours to Heraclea & Lake Bafa. |