Aspendos

   In 190 B.C. Aspendos was Pergamonian then it fell into the hands of the Romans like its neighbouring cities, and had its heyday at this time. Most of the huge buildings of the city date back from that period. It ranked amongst the most important ports and cities in the Byzantine centralization system till the decline of the city.

   The architect Zenon built the well-preserved theatre of the ancient world in the 2nd century A.D. during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, from Aspendos. The auditorium had a semicircular from and a diameter of 95 metres (285 feet), and it has been preserved including even its upper gallery. 20,000 spectators could find a place here. The higher rows of seats where manes were scratched were preserved for the upper classes. The well-preserved scena building was 30 metres (90 feet) high. Under the scena there were five gates, through which steep stairways at each side-facilitated access to the tiers from the arena. The scena wall was connected to the auditorium through a wooden roof an achieve better acoustics, Over the centuries the marble covering of the scena wall has been lost. From the columns and statues, only socles and bases are now left.

   The stadium with a length of 220 metres (660 feet) and a width of 30 metres (90 feet), was situated to the north of theatre. Most of the seats have been damaged. The Aqueduct, It is 1 kilometre away from the ruined city. It is a good example of the water construction technique of the Romans. The water was conducted to the upper city through this aqueduct using the principle of communicating pipes.
 

Kaunos

   Also there are about 120 tombs which have been carved from rocks on the side of the hill.

Sumela Monastry

   The monastery is probably built by Emperor Anastasius in the 5th century A.D., which was later, enlarged by Justinian. However, according to another legend, Sumela Monastery Was founded by two Athenian monks. In 1740 the structure was decorated with frescoes. The frescoes on the south wall are still in good condition and worth while seeing.

Mevlana

   Those who love and venerate Mevlana commemorate the day of death, December 17, 1273, not as a day of mourning but as one of reunion with God. It is celebrated by the "Sema", the traditional dance of the dervishes where they dress in along white tunic and a cylindrical headdress which symbolizes the tombstone. Raising their right hand to the sky to receive the divine grace, which they transmit to earth through their down-turned left hand, they pivot on their feet tracing a circle to reach ecstasy and be united with god.
 

Alacahoyuk Hittite

   During the great Hittite Empire (1600-1200 B.C.) Alacahöyük no doubt remained under the influence of this kingdom. After the decline of the Hittite Empire which was caused by the North and Sea People, Alacahöyük also loast its significance. The Phrygians ares upposed to have lived in this city in the 9th century B.C.

   The most important finds of Alacahöyük are the princes' graves with their possessions (4th century B.C.) : golden and silver containers, weapons, gold and silver jewellery, and animal sculptures made of bronze and clay. Most of these may now be seen in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.

   Alacahöyük used to have at least two gates :

   The Western Gate, of which only the main walls were found, had mainy similarities with the Yerkapi of Hatusa. The Sphinx Gate at the south was the main gate of the city. This gate is flanked by two well-worn sphinxes facing outward. On the jamb there is a relief (plaster cast) of a double-eagle holding a rabbit in ots claws. There are two more reliefs (again plaster cast) on the wall on both sides of the gate of : an enthroned goddess, a procession including the weather god with the king, the queen and yhr priest, and sacrificial beasts following them.

   Many of the finds of Alacahöyük can be seen in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
 

City of Troy

• Troy I
  (3000-2600 B.C.) : The first Trojan city with a diameter of 100 metres (300 feet), was on a hard surface and had very simple houses made of bricks. According to traces left, the settlement was destroyed by a fire.
• Troy II
  (2600-2300 B.C.) : The settlement appears to have been richer and more developed. In 1873 H. Schliemann found in this layer the famous treasure of Troy which included weapons, copper objects, pieces of jewellery, gold vessels and precious stones from prehistoric and early historic times. The culture was destroyed in the 3rd century B.C. by a great fire.
• Troy III-IV-V
  (2300-1900 B.C.) : These layers are evidence of the decline in prosperity of Troy.
• Troy VI
  (1900-1300 B.C.) : This city had a diameter of 200 metres (600 feet). The settlement fell victim to a severe earthquake in 1300 B.C.
• Troy VII-A
  (1300-1200 B.C.) : The Trojan War took place during this period. Later, the Achaeans destroyed this settlement.
• Troy VII-B
  (1200-900 B.C.) : After its destruction, the city was colonized by Phrygians.
• Troy VIII
  (900-350 B.C.) : Aeolian Grreks settled in Troy during this period.
• Troy IX
  (350 B.C. - 400 A.D.)

The Excavations in Troy
The previous German merchant, Heinrich Schliemann, discovered the city of ancient Troy, and carried out the excavation work with his Greek wife Sophia (1870-1890). In 1873 he discovered the treasure in Troy II, which he attributed to Priam. He toke it to Berlin , where it was lost during the World War II.
Later the most important investigations were conducted under the leadership of the German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld (1890-1894) and the excavations were carried out by the American University of Cincinnati under the leadership of Carl W. Blegen during the years 1932-1938.

Side (Pamphylia)

   Side, which was first Pergamonian and then Roman, developed into a wealthy harbor city with an important fleet in the 3rd century A.C. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Side also lost it's signifiance. Side became the capital of Pamphylia during the Byzantine Empire period. The decline of the city started with the attacks of Arabs in 7th and 8th century A.D. By the year 1200 Side was in ruins.

   The theater in Side is the biggest theater in Pamphylia and one of the most important in Asia Minor. The theater which can host uo to 15000 spectators, has 49 tiers.

Assos

   In the 2nd milenium Assos was a settlement of the Lelegeans. In 1000 B.C. the Aeolians built a colony. It was controlled by Lydians in the 6th century B.C. and around 350 B.C. it became a Greek colony by the Hermias from the island of Lesbos. Alexander the Great freed the city from tyrannical rule and in 241 B.C. became part of the Kingdom of Pergamum and was brought under the rule of Romans. After Romans Assos became Byzantine than Seljuk and later was ruled by the Crusaders. Eventually it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.

   The ancient city once was surrounded by 19 meter (57 feet) high walls, and had a surface area of 2.5 square kilometers. The 3 kilometer (2 mile) lonng city wall is well-preserved with its watchtowers. The necropolis in front of the city gate which has a sarcophagi dates back from Hellenistic and Roman periods. The most important monument in the city is the Temple of Athena which dates back to 6th century.