Aspendos

Aspendos

About 50 km east of Antalya, the ruins of an old city that once stood out with its majesty attract attention.This city was founded at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. Koprucay river flows between the two hills on which the city is located. In this old city, there are half-destroyed buildings and aqueducts.

All these monuments reveal the brilliance of the era in which they were built even today. The name of the city theatre is BALKIZ (Belkıs) Theatre. The theatre is large enough to accommodate approximately 15 thousand spectators. Today, the ancient theater, where opera and ballet festivals are held and some entertainment shows are presented, is filled with a crowd far beyond its capacity, unfortunately damaging the historical texture.

Thanks to the sensitive and history lovers, organisations are now restricted and history has been taken into care. Aspendos is leaning on the eastern slope where the city was founded. It has a very majestic appearance with its several-storeyed stage and lodges rising behind the two-storeyed amphitheatre. Behind the stage, a wide high facade rises, decorated with sculptures and embroidery in accordance with the artistic understanding of the age.

From the inscriptions found in the theater, it is understood that Aspendos was built in the 2nd century AD. The founders of the theater are Krispunus Arruntianus and Auspikatus Titinyanus. Belkıs Theater was built in honor of the gods and the King's family. According to an inscription inside the stage section, the architectural city was built by a person named Zenon. Although the theater could not preserve its appearance when it was first built, it still looks quite good and alive among the works that have survived to the present day.

Antalya Aspendos Ancient Theatre is very easy to reach. If you are coming from Antalya centre, you need to pass through the Belkıs underpass right after Serik district. There are already many signposts and will easily direct you. Entrance to the ancient city of Aspendos is chargeable. You can visit by paying at the door. It is one of the most beautiful and must-see Roman artefacts of Antalya. While visiting the ancient theatre, do not forget to visit other ruins behind it.