Search the new site:


AIZANOI 226 pictures 9:41 minutes HQ video The archaeological site of Aizanoi is located 57 km south-west of the town Kutahya. Its name comes from the mythological hero Aizan. The myth says that Aizan was the son of Aracsus, the son of an Arcadian Tyrant and Erato a daughter of Zeus. The city experienced its golden age in the second and third centuries A.D. And became the center of an episcopacy in the Byzantine era. In the Hellenistic era, this region was ruled by Bergama and Bithynia, and in 133 B.C. it entered the dominion of the Roman Empire. Aizanoi minted its first coins in the second and first centuries. It began as a modest provincial town, and became increasingly wealthy from its exports of grain, wool and wine. Aizanoi, famous for its pioneering in the history of Anatolia and the world archaeology, was discovered by European discoverers in 1824. The city has a temple built for Zeus which is the best preserved temple in all of Anatolia. There is also a large theater and a stadium adjacent to it. This combination of theater-stadium is unique. Some other masterpieces of the ancient Romans are an Agora, a Gymnasium, colonnaded streets, a Macellum (round structure), and an Odeon . The Temple of Zeus The temple was built between 113-114 A.D. and has a female statue of Acroteria and a Doric columned hall and Agora. On the cut stones of the temple, there are war scenes, horsemen and horses. In the peristasis there are 8 Ionic columns on the short side and 15 on the long side. The temple is built on a podium with the dimensions 53 meters by 35 meters. The base is covered with vaults, the combination of which makes for an unusual model in Roman architecture in Anatolia. The Theater and Stadium The combination of the stadium-theater in Aizanoi is unique. The construction of the building started in 160 A.D. and continued until the middle of the third century A.D. On the eastern side of the entrance to the stadium there is a number of inscriptions. This unique complex can seat more than 33 thousand people. Gymnasium and Roman Bath A squared shaped school of sports is adjacent on the northeast to the Roman Bath which was built in the middle of the second century A.D. It was adorned with rich marble coverings and carvings. Both buildings were situated between the temple and the theater-stadium. Odeon This structure is situated on the north-east corner of the temple of Zeus. The Colonnade This 450 meter long street was discovered in 1991. There are shops and gallerias on both sides. This avenue was a part of the ceremonial road leading to the Steunene sacred area, outside the city after passing through the main bridge. The Round structure (Macellum) The Macellum was discovered in 1971. The round building was used as food market in the second century A.D. Back to Turkey Index