The ancient city of Aphrodisias

The ancient city of Aphrodisias

The ancient city of Aphrodisias, once the capital of the province of Lydia, is located near the village of Geyre in the district of Karacasu 38 km south of Nazilli.In ancient times, the attractive marble buildings of Aphrodisias no doubt shone out, as they do now, from amidst the rich vegetation of the Dandalaz valley with its almond, pomegranate and poplar trees.

Tetrapylon - The ancient city of Aphrodisias

Tetrapylon - The ancient city of Aphrodisias

One of the most attractive features of Aphrodisias is the ornamental gate constructed in the middle of the 2nd century. The name Tetrapylon refers to its being composed of four groups of four columns.

The Temple of Aphrodite - Aphrodisias

The Temple of Aphrodite - Aphrodisias

Located in the northern section, in ancient times the Temple of Aphrodite formed the centre and nucleus of the city. All that remains of the ancient temple consists of fourteen of the over forty Ionic columns that once surrounded it and the foundations of the cella section.

Arpaz, near Nazilli

Arpaz, near Nazilli

A residential catle in quasi-European style stands on the edge of this village, once the seat of a far-reaching feudal estate.

An older palace on the site was destroyed by the legandary bandit Bald Mehmet of Atca during a revolt in 1829. The present tower was built later in the 19th century in imitation of mediaeval Crusader architecture of Rhodes by a Lord of Arpaz who spent some time as an exile in that island.

The estate, now derelict, is owned by descendants of the Arpaz family and can be toured by persuading the housekeeper.

How to get to Arpaz: 10 km S of Nazilli, dir. Bozdogan.

Arpaz castle