Street our hotel is on

Antalya street scene - the narrow streets, variety of paving materials, and old construction are interesting

Antalya street scene

Harbor

Harbor - the sea is a beautiful blue-green color.  For thousands of years sewage percolated through the limestone bedrock so only clean water emptied into the sea.  Only four years ago a sewage system was constructed.

We looked at the ruins of an old Roman/Greek church built in 2 AD that was later turned into a mosque but now is under reconstruction. 

Ruins of an old Roman/Greek church

Ruins of an old Roman/Greek church

Buildings at a street corner are shaved back with decorative carvings at the top to let the chariots, from Roman times, turn the corner

Hadrian's Gate - constructed in 130 AD to commemorate the Emperor Hadrian's visit to the city

Gate detail

Copy of photo of Perge from a brochure

Perge ruins - looking toward the agora

Corinthian style capital (upside down on the ground)

Stone facade

Map of the north baths area

We wandered through the baths with the hot room, tepid room, cold room, oil and sanding area, etc.

Original tiled floor

Hypocaust system used to heat the baths using hot water running beneath the floor

Main Gate

Agora - Common market

The agora was very large and interesting.  A temple to Hermes was in the middle of the open courtyard.  The courtyard had a mosaic walkway around the outside and shops surrounded the walk.  The doors to the shops opened alternately toward the courtyard and away.  This gave more privacy and less competition for the merchants.  The main gate opened onto a boulevard, which had fountains and pools running down the center and more open shops down each side.

Commercial agora

Water channel for the fountains and pools running down the center of the commercial agora

Meander pattern - meanders were among the most important symbols in ancient Greece, they perhaps symbolized infinity and unity; many ancient Greek temples incorporated the sign of the meander.

Sign indicating booth for surgery and medicines

The archeologist's jigsaw puzzle

Outside the main gate was a half preserved stadium.  It was a ½ km long and was used mostly for track and field events.  The 1500 stadium seats made of limestone were supported by sloping arches.  The theater next door was closed to visitors.

Theater - being reconstructed

Arch/entrance to the stadium which supported the seats

Next we drove to Aspendos and a very well preserved (the best in Asia Minor) Roman theater.  It was used originally for gladiator fights and man vs. beast fights in order to have a dead man to serve as a servant to an official who had just died and would be buried with goods needed in the afterworld and the man to serve him.  Now it is used for concerts and operas. (Links to further information about Aspendos: Link 1; Link 2 - use the back arrow key to return here.)

Exterior front of the theater

Wonderfully preserved amphitheater seats

Gale and the gladiator exchanging weapons

Stage area of the theater

Detail of stage facade

Exterior wall of theater

Roman aqueduct near Aspendos

Roman aqueduct near Aspendos