Grand Roman Amphitheater in Aspendos Remains the Mediterranean’s Best-Preserved Theater - Aspendos, Turkey
What is It – One important city along the Turquoise Coast in Turkey in ancient times was the city of Aspendos which is located about thirty miles to the east of the modern city of Antalya. Located on a hill above the Eurymedon River, the city was developed as a colony by Greeks from Argos around the fifth century BC and became a prosperous center of trade in the Pamphylia region. Succeeding centuries saw the city come under the control of the Persians, Alexander the Great, and the Kingdom of Pergamon before it became part of the Roman empire in 133 BC.
Ruled by the Romans and later the Byzantine empire for centuries thereafter, Aspendos featured classic structures found throughout the Greek and Roman world such as a market hall, acropolis, temples, a stadium, a basilica, and an unusual aqueduct with siphons. However, the Aspendos landmark which makes it distinctive throughout the Mediterranean is the Grand Amphitheater. The theater was built around 155 AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius by an architect named Zenon and funded by two wealthy brothers. The structure remained remarkably intact for almost two millennia mostly because it was maintained during the Middle Ages as a caravanserai or waystation for travelers and camel caravans, and later used as a palace by the Seljuk Turks. Today, the restored theater is still used as a performance venue for live music and dance shows, an annual opera and ballet festival, and other events.
The Aspendos Theater was named a World Heritage site in 2015 because “the site of Aspendos houses the best-preserved ancient theater of the world” and is “a richly decorated monument that bears the traces of different historic periods including the Romans and the Seljuk.” The site is visited by approximately 400,000 people each year and travelers should take their time viewing the theater and contemplating its history.
What You Will See There - The city ruins at Aspendos are not as extensive as the ruins at other major sites in Turkey such as Aphrodisias, Ephesus, and Pergamon. Nevertheless, the majesty and scope of the theater make it a worthwhile place to stop for people cruising along the Turquoise Coast or vacationing near Antalya and Alanya. Here are some of its features:
Design - The theater combines elements of classic Greek and Roman design. It is built onto the side of a hill with the seating arranged in a semicircle or horseshoe shape. At the lower end of the theater is a huge stage and building known as a skene that served as a backdrop to the performances.
Seating - People were smaller in stature during ancient times, so estimates of how many people could be seated for a performance or an event at Aspendos range from 7500 to 12,000. The seating was laid out in two sections with a lower section of twenty rows and an upper section of twenty-one rows. Huge canopies were deployed over a large section of the seats to provide shade from the sun and protection from rain and wind.
Arches- At the top of the theater above the last row is a concourse topped by a vaulted colonnade which allowed people to walk around the entire seating area covered by these arches or linger there with friends. There is an excellent view down to the stage from the gallery and the acoustics allow theater goers to hear the performers with ease. It is ironic to realize that during the Middle Ages, travelers and caravans used these beautiful spaces as stables for their camels, horses and donkeys when stopping at the caravanserai there.
Stage Area – The massive stage at Aspendos has been restored to allow for modern shows. The stage building is several stories high and once contained recessed areas that were filled with statues of emperors, dignitaries, or popular gods. The main entrance to the theater was by a large gate on the lower side of the building. The best way to enjoy it is to explore the stage area, linger at various seats around the theater to view the entire building before walking around the gallery at the top.
How to Get Here – Most people come to the ruins as part of a private or group tour of the Antalya area. Day tours often include stops at other nearby sites such as the oceanfront ruins at Side, the inland ruins at Perge, or a picnic stop at the Manavgat Waterfalls. It can be reached by traveling on the main highway along the coast called the D400 and then turning north along the river on the Aspendos Yolu road. Taxi service is also available from locations nearby such as the resorts at Belek or the city of Antalya.
When to Go- The Turquoise Coast can be hot and dry in the summer with temperatures exceeding 85 degrees during the day once you head inland from the water. This makes springtime and early fall the best times for visiting Aspendos. The temperature cools considerably from December to February with occasional rainy days but temperatures in the 50s or 60s still provide a comfortable outdoor experience on many winter days.
Cost- Admission to the Aspendos theater and the other city ruins is less than $10 per adult.