Begin the day among the Hellenic art and architecture of the ruins in Priene, an ancient Ionian city dramatically overlooking the fertile plains of the Meandre Valley. Afterwards, continue to the second archaeological site of the day; the ancient city of Miletus, formerly a prosperous commercial harbor city and the most prominent in Anatolia in its heyday. Most noteworthy among the scattered ruins are the Great Theater and Roman Baths. Eventually, the tour reaches Didim town, where there is time for an open buffet lunch. Following that, the tour proceeds to the ancient city of Didyma, the setting for one of the most colossal temples in the Hellenic World, venerating the God Apollo.
PRIENE; was one of the most active ports of Ionian Federation making the site of particular interest, is the system of geometric city planning introduced in the 4th centry B.C. by Hippodamos of Miletos. The theater is the most interesting monument of Priene.
MILETOS; like Priene was a great Ionian port and the native land of several philosophers and sages. Most of the monuments at the site are badly ruined except for the theater and the baths of Faustina. The theater reconstructed during the Roman Period is an impressive building leaning against the slope of a hill.
DIDYMA; only possesses a single monument, but is nevertheless a marvelous site. The temple of Apollo was one of the most sacred places in antiquity; many times looted and burned. The sanctuary is still impressive and of and elegant beauty. The colossal Temple (measuring 180m by 60m) was surrounded by a portico of double colonnades. |