Aphrodisias Ancient City
Discover the fascinating ruins of the ancient world's most important sculpture center, dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Aphrodisias Ancient City: History, Significance, and Cultural Heritage
Aphrodisias Ancient City, one of Turkey's best-preserved ancient cities, is located in the Karacasu district of Aydın and takes its name from **Aphrodite**, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. The city became one of the most important art centers of the ancient world with its culture, sculpture school, and rich architecture that developed from the 2nd century BC.
The most important element that makes Aphrodisias unique is the high-quality marble extracted from nearby Babadağ Mountain. This marble was transformed into extraordinary sculptures, reliefs, and monumental structures by the masters of Aphrodisias, and the city gained fame as **the most famous sculpture school of the ancient world** during the Roman Empire period. The works produced here were sent all over Rome, Athens, North Africa, and Anatolia.
The city is an open-air museum that makes visitors experience history and art at every step with its Sebasteion, Tetrapylon, bath structures, theatre, agora, and one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in the world. This cultural richness of Aphrodisias was officially registered in 2017 by entering the **UNESCO World Heritage List**.
For safe and comfortable transportation to the region, **Destina Transfer** offers a private chauffeur tour and transportation service to Aphrodisias from Didim, Kuşadası, Bodrum, or İzmir. The journey with professional drivers and VIP vehicles makes your visit more enjoyable and provides an opportunity for a day-long guided exploration.
2nd Century BC
Construction of the Temple of Aphrodite begins, and the city gains importance as a religious center.
1st Century BC
Establishment of strong ties with the Roman Empire and the rise of Aphrodisias as an “art center.”
1st Century AD
Construction of monumental structures such as the Sebasteion, Stadium, and Theatre, and the city experiences its golden age.
2nd Century AD
The city reaches its architectural peak with the Tetrapylon, bath structures, and monumental gates.
2017
Aphrodisias is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, gaining global cultural heritage status.
Important Structures
Tetrapylon
It is the monumental gateway at the beginning of the sacred road leading to the Temple of Aphrodite. It is the city's most photogenic structure with its rich decorations and sculptures.
Temple of Aphrodite
The Temple of Aphrodite is one of the most magnificent and sacred structures of Aphrodisias Ancient City, dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Bouleuterion
The Bouleuterion is an important meeting structure in Aphrodisias Ancient City where the city council gathered and political and administrative decisions were made.
Sebasteion
Dedicated to Roman emperors and Aphrodite, this temple complex is famous for its magnificent reliefs depicting mythological and historical scenes.
Stadium
It is the best-preserved stadium in the ancient world, with a capacity of 30,000 people. It was used for athletic competitions and gladiator fights.
Recommendations for Visitors
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October), when weather conditions are most favourable, are ideal.
Recommended Visit Duration
You should allocate at least 3-4 hours to explore the ancient city and the museum in detail. **With Destina Transfer's flexible tours, you can visit without rushing.**
Combine with Pamukkale
Aphrodisias is approximately 1.5 hours away from Pamukkale. **With Destina Transfer, you can comfortably visit both UNESCO sites on the same day.**
Guiding Services
**Upon your request, we organize licensed tour guides exclusively for you, ensuring you gain in-depth knowledge about the sculptures and history of Aphrodisias.**
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Tour Services
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