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Didim City Guide

Sightseeing - Priene

Priene is located in Gullubahce at a distance of 15 km from Söke, in the Aegean region of Turkey. It was founded in the 2nd millennium and carried to its present locality in 350 B.C. from its original place which is still unknown.

Geography

In the 4th century BCE, Priene was a deep water port with two harbors overlooking the Miletus Bay and further east the marshes of the Maeander Delta. Although Priene's territory might have included a part of the Maeander Valley, between the ocean and steep Mycale agricultural resources were limited.

Priene was a small city of only 6000 people living in a constrained location.

The population density of its residential district was estimated to be 166 persons per hectare living in approximately 33 homes per hectare (13 per acre) which were arranged in compact city blocks.

History of Priene

Although the exact truth is not known, Priene is said to have been first settled by Ionians under Aegyptus, a son of Belus and grandson of King Codrus, in the 11th century BCE. After successive attacks by Cimmerians, Lydians under Ardys, and Persians, it survived and prospered under the direction of its "sage," Bias during the middle of the 6th century BC. Then, Cyrus captured it in 545 BC. Until Alexander the Great's conquest it was a Persian colony. For a certain period of time there were many disputes with Samos and troubles that followed after Alexander's death. Then, Rome saved Priene from the kings of Pergamon and Cappadocia in 155.

Orophernes of Cappadocia, the rebellious brother of the Cappadocian King, who had deposited a treasure there and recovered it by Roman intervention, restored the Temple of Athena as an offering of thanks. Priene had a prosperous history under the Roman and Byzantine dominion. It later on passed into Muslim hands late in the 13th century.

The Ruins

At the entrance of the ruins the road on the right leads to the Theater of Priene. The theater was built during the Hellenistic period, and underwent modifications during the Roman period. The theatre consists of 50 rows of seats and has a capacity of 5.000 people. The section of the orchestra of the theatre has five marble armchairs reserved for noble people.

The Themenos of Egyptian Gods is situated on the right of the theatre. In the front of the theatre is the upper Gymnasium and by its side is the Byzantine church.

The Temple of Athena belongs to the 4th c. B.C. The architectural work was done by Pytheos whom also built the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The temple has 6 x 11 columns and the dimensions are 19.55 x 37.20 m. A few columns of the temple have been erected and are classical examples of Ionian architecture. The eastern half of the temple was completed by Alexander The Great. In the past, the altar in the front was decorated with high relieves and belongs to the 2nd century B.C. The Stoa that displays a beautiful example of stone workmanship is at the south of the Temple of Athena.

Downwards from the temple you will see the Agora of Priene which belongs to the 3rd century B.C. Next to it used to be a fish and meat market. North of the Agora is where the sacred Stoa belonging to the 2nd century B.C. is situated. The Bouleuterion (Assembly building) which looks like a small square theatre, with dimensions of 20 x 21 m and a capacity of 640 people, is adjacent to the Stoa. Adjacent to the Stoa there is the Prytaneion (Town Hall) from the 2nd century B.C. which is where the sacred fire used to burn. East of the Agora is where Temenos of Zeus Olympios is situated. There are houses on both sides of the avenue which connect the Agora to the western gate. The western gate side of the avenue is where Temenos of Kybele and the house of Alexander the Great are situated. Further south of Priene, the lower Gymnasium and the Stadium are situated.

How To Get To Priene

If you would like to travel to Priene on your own the simplest way to get to Priene is to go to take the local Didim Seyahat bus to Söke first. From Söke bus station you should get on the Gullubahce Birlik minibuses. Their last stop is Turunclar Mahallesi where Priene is located. When you reach Turunclar district you will see the remains of an AquaDuct which is also known as Selale Restaurant. From here you can follow the road up to the ticket office where the entrance of Priene begins. The second choice is to go to a Travel agency and arrange a daily tour which includes Priene and other historic sites that can be seen also.

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