Turkish Aegean Coast Historic Sites

This content was last updated on 24.01.2024 22:20

Historical Places in the Aegean Region

Efes Antik Kenti (Ephesus Ancient City) İzmir

When it comes to the Aegean and popular historical sites, one name comes to mind: Ephesus! This enchanting ancient city has stood for centuries as one of the most important capitals in the world. The history of Ephesus Ancient City, which houses the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the world-famous Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Hadrian, dates back to around 7000 BC. Referred to as a mega ancient city, the town served as a major city in the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.

Opening hours:

• Every day from 08:00 to 18:30

Admission fee:

• 700 TL

Çeşme Kalesi (Çeşme Castle) İzmir

The castle located in Çeşme, the tourist district of Izmir, is also visited as an archaeological museum. The castle, which was used for military purposes until the 19th century, was later abandoned. Prepare your camera when you visit the castle, which is surrounded by moats on three sides due to its proximity to the sea! When you reach the summit, an exquisite sea view awaits you. On the museum side of Çeşme Castle, you can observe various artifacts depicting life from ancient settlements in the region to the Ottoman period.

Opening hours:

• Every day from 08:30 to 19:30

Admission fee:

• 130 TL
• With Museum Card: 60 TL

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Meryem Ana Evi (House of Virgin Mary) İzmir

The House of the Virgin Mary, located approximately 10 km away from Selçuk, fills me with tranquility every time I visit it due to its location in the middle of a wooded area. Due to its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus, this place of worship, often visited consecutively on the same day, attracts tourists from all religions. After the crucifixion of Jesus, his closest companion, Virgin Mary, is said to have been brought to the safer Ephesus region. They hide in the wooded area of Bülbül Mountain and build a house there. It is believed that she lived here until her death, and it was declared a Pilgrimage Site by the Vatican. You can visit the House of the Virgin Mary to make wishes, pray, and find peace.

Opening hours:

• Every day from 08:30 to 17:00

Admission fee:

• 200 TL

Didyma Antik Kenti (Didyma Ancient City) Aydın

The ancient city located in the Söke district of Aydın gave its name to the tourist town Didim. Although it is currently about 4 km away from the sea, Didyma, also known as the "World's Largest Oracle City," was originally situated on the coastline when it was founded. The most remarkable structure of the ancient city is the Temple of Apollo. Built in honor of Apollo, the twin brother of the mythological goddess Artemis, who had a temple in the ancient city of Ephesus, this monument is the world's third-largest temple of its kind.

Opening hours:

• Every day from 10:00 to 17:00

Güvercinada Kalesi (Güvercinada Castle) Aydın

The symbol of Kuşadası, the castle, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2020. On the island, you can see the breakwaters, the castle dating back to the Byzantine era, the inner castle built by Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, and the walls built by İlyas Ağa. Moreover, there are hundreds of accommodation options in Kuşadası! While visiting the tourist town, don't forget to take a dip in the delightful beaches.

Hierapolis Antik Kenti (Hierapolis Ancient City) Denizli

Hierapolis, the tourist district of Denizli located in Pamukkale, is a particularly popular spot among foreign tourists. This ancient city, where you can enter with a Museum Card, was founded in the 2nd century BC by King II. Eumenes of Pergamon and took its name from the Amazon queen Hiera. Positioned on a fault line, Hierapolis has been repeatedly destroyed over the centuries, and during the Byzantine period, it was known as a bishopric center. The city, with its typical Roman urban settlement, has been renowned throughout its history for its travertines. After exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis, I recommend visiting the still-popular Pamukkale travertines.

Admission fee:

• 700 TL

Bodrum Kalesi ve Sualtı Arkeoloji Müzesi (Bodrum Castle and Underwater Archeology Museum) Muğla

Bodrum, Turkey's most popular holiday destination, is home to the iconic structure of Bodrum Castle, built between 1403 and 1523 by the Knights of St. John. The towers of the inner castle, accessible through seven gates, are named after various countries. The castle, created by raising the stones of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, also houses an underwater archaeology museum. The museum, where the world's oldest shipwreck is also exhibited, is the only underwater archaeology museum in Turkey.

Opening hours:

• All sections are closed on Mondays.
• On other days, from 09:00 to 17:00.

Kaunos Antik Kenti (Kaunos Ancient City) Muğla

Located in the Çandır neighborhood of Köyceğiz, which even under the rule of Caria in the past, Kaunos had a unique cultural mosaic. The ancient city, situated on the Köyceğiz side of the Dalyan Strait, was originally a port city in its founding era, but today, it is located quite inland from the coast. Kaunos, especially with its rock tombs at the entrance, attracts the attention of visitors. The city, which was quite a common settlement in the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, can be reached today by sea motorboats.

Admission fee:

• 70 TL

Opening hours:

• Every day from 09:00 to 20:30

Bergama Antik Kenti (Pergamon Ancient City) İzmir

The ancient city of Pergamon, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List from our country, has been of crucial importance due to its strategic location, despite being frequently occupied in the past. Housing the most significant architectural works of the Ionian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, the ancient city of Pergamon holds historical significance as the city where the first major hospital, Asklepion, was established. There are many places to visit in the ancient city, including the Acropolis, Asklepion, the Red Basilica, and the Pergamon Museum. The ancient city, divided into the lower and upper city, is also known in history as a health city where important medicines were prepared.

Opening hours:

• Every day from 08:30 to 17:00

Admission fee:

• 340 TL