The Best Preserved Roman Theatre In Turkey Antalya, Turkey's tourism capital, is renowned not only for its natural beauty and stunning beaches but also for its ancient cities. Aspendos, one of the many ancient cities scattered throughout the city, is the most well-known. Its theatre is particularly popular due to its historical significance. Aspendos Theatre is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Turkey and the world. It has perfect acoustics and continues to host concerts and performances, including the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival held every summer. In 1959, it hosted Turkey's first theatre festival, making it an important part of the country's history. The Aspendos Theatre, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, was built by the architect Zenon between 138 and 164 AD. It has survived in remarkably good condition due to its use as a palace during the Seljuk Period. Some of the tiles that adorned the structure during this time can be viewed at the Antalya Ethnography Museum. Beyond Theatre Limiting Aspendos to only its theatre would be unfair to this beautiful ancient city. In addition to its theatre, Aspendos boasts baths, temples, aqueducts, city walls, and many other remnants that provide insight into city life 2000 years ago. During the Roman period, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the city became one of the most important centres of trade and art in Asia and was renowned for its wealth. Many of these remains still bear traces of their past glory. Aspendos is a settlement divided into two parts: the Lower and Upper Cities. The famous theatre is located in the Lower City. Another important structure in the Lower City is the Stadion. The most remarkable ruins in the Upper City are the Acropolis, the Agora, the 100-metre-long Basilica, the Monumental Fountain (which is 35 metres long and 15 metres high), and the Odeon building behind the Monumental Fountain. Engineering Wonder: Aqueducts The Aqueduct is one of the most impressive structures of the ancient city of Aspendos, and can be considered an engineering marvel. It spans one kilometre and has survived to this day, providing water to the acropolis from the mountains located 25 km northwest of the city. Legends reflect the competition between the Aqueduct and another magnificent structure, the Theater. Legend has it that the king of Aspendos announced that his daughter would marry the person who performed the most useful work for the city. One of the two brothers built an aqueduct, while the other constructed a theatre. Although the king was inclined to choose the aqueduct, which brought water to the city from distant lands, he did not overlook the theatre, which had exceptional acoustics that carried sound to the farthest reaches. Even the sound of a coin thrown on the ground can be heard from the top rows. The king, who was standing at the farthest corner of the stage, overheard the architect whispering, 'You should marry your daughter to me!' The king decided to award the first prize to the theatre and approved his daughter's marriage to the architect. Even today, visitors continue to debate which of the two is more beautiful.
ASPENDOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
