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Aspendos Ancient City: A Journey Through History

One of the must-see places when you visit Antalya is the ancient city of Aspendos. Known for having the best-preserved Roman theater and aqueducts in the Mediterranean, Aspendos is located in the Belkıs village of Antalya’s Serik district. It’s just 2 kilometers off the Antalya-Alanya highway at the 44th kilometer. The ancient city is 50 km from Antalya city center and only 8 km from Serik.

Mesmerizing Architecture

The ancient city, located on a hill near the Köprüçay River, boasts magnificent aqueducts that were built to transport water from the river and the Taurus Mountains. Aside from these aqueducts, built during the Roman period in the 2nd century AD, the open-air theater draws significant attention.

The theater was built between 161-180 AD by architect Zenon, son of Theodoros. Dedicated to the gods and the imperial family of the time, the theater stands out with its impressive architectural features. The 20,000-seat theater has incredible acoustics, making it a popular venue for concerts and events today.

Open Year-Round

Aspendos is one of Turkey's most visited historical and tourist destinations. It is open to visitors from 08:00-19:00 in the summer and 08:00-17:00 in the winter. Museum cards are accepted, and those without a card can pay at the ticket office. Entry is free for students and teachers.

You can reach Aspendos by buses traveling from Antalya’s bus terminal to Serik or by minibuses departing from Serik. You can also visit Aspendos with your private car, through private tour companies, or by renting a chauffeured vehicle.

The Mythological Story of Aspendos

Aspendos also has a fascinating mythological tale. According to the story, the king of Aspendos wanted to marry off his daughter and announced that he would give her to the person who did the most beneficial work for the city. Two young architects competed for the king's favor. One built the aqueducts that brought water to the city, while the other designed the Aspendos Theater, renowned for its acoustics. Initially, the king wanted to give his daughter to the architect who built the aqueducts. However, due to his daughter's insistence and the theater's incredible acoustics, he decided to marry his daughter to the architect Zenon, who built the theater.