Aphrodisias

Located near the modern village of Geyre and lying in the Maeander River basin about 230 km from İzmir, Aphrodisias is a bit distant from the major Turkish towns and for this reason has fewer visitors than most of the other historical sites in Turkey. Nevertheless, the ancient city of Aphrodisias is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey.

The cultural and political importance of the city are clearly attested by the size and magnificence of the ancient buildings left. Although Afrodisias was already an importnat place in neolithic times, most of the ruins date back from Roman times: a theatre, a double agora, baths of Hardian a bishop's palace, a stadium and an Odeon. On the side is a small museum with very nice sculptures.The name Aphrodisias is actually derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of nature, beauty, love and plenty, and was one of the most important cult centers of the goddess.