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| Priene | ||
| province | Aydın | |
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| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | unknown | |
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| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
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Priene is an ancient ruin site in Aegean region in the Turkey.
background
Originally Priene was a Carian city, the exact location and origin of which is not known. At some point, however, Ionic settlers took over power here and Priene became a member of the Ionic League of Cities and the protective power of the federal sanctuary Panionion. The city took part in the so-called Ionian Uprising around 490 BC. And was completely destroyed in the course of this. The city recovered very slowly from this defeat and became the pawn of other forces. In 387 BC The place came back to the Persian Empire. A few years later, the city moved from its former location to the current ruins. The city was laid out as if on a drawing board, but the newer hillside location ensured a certain degree of variety in the cityscape. And while the city looked straight out to sea from the hillside, it was enthroned on a 300 meter high stone cliff acropolis. Alexander the Great came his way and personally supported some new buildings in the new city. In the following years, despite changing ownership, it was always able to maintain a certain degree of autonomy. This led to a certain economic stability and the place could be expanded further. In the 2nd century BC. the city was besieged by the troops of the Cappadocian king Orophernes, who demanded the surrender of a large financial loan, and the surrounding villages were completely destroyed. Only a cry for help in the direction of Rome could help the city. A short time later, Priene was ravaged by a city fire. Badly damaged, the city was then part of the kingdom Pergamon belonging as a hereditary property in the Roman Empire. Priene already got into the turmoil of the Mithridatish war as the king as the Pontic king Mithridates VI. out Amasya invaded the region and turned the Greeks against the Romans. Priene was unable to recover from the aftermath of the war. The construction activities took place only sporadically and the population decreased. In the 2nd century AD a synagogue was built here and in the 5th century the city got a bishop. The last noteworthy entry in the history books can be found in the 13th century when the city was conquered by Turkish troops. At that time, the city had lost not only its direct access to the lake but also all significance due to the increasing siltation of the meander basin. Today the ruined city is quite remote and is thanks to its famous neighbors Miletus and Ephesus relatively little frequented.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is in Selçuk (Selçuk Efes Havaalanı). However, this can only be approached with private aircraft. If you want to fall back on an airline, you will find in the north in Izmir and in the south in Bodrum the nearest airport. From there it continues on the road.
By train
By bus
The major tourist spots in the region Kuşadası and Selçuk are directly connected to the major cities of the country via large bus routes. From here there are regular Dolmuş connections to Söke. Söke, in turn, has a heavily frequented Dolmuş connection with Güllübahçe. Here the buses run every 15 minutes during the day. The last bus leaves at 7:00 p.m.
In the street
Of Izmir you drive the highway O-31 (chargeable) in the direction of Aydın and leave the highway at Söke. At the roundabout in front of the city take the third exit in the direction Miletus/ Priene. After 3.5 km there is another roundabout. Here you take the first exit and now follow the road towards Priene. After approx. 15 km shortly after the village of Güllübahçe, a road on the right leads up the mountain to the parking lot in front of the archaeological site.
Of Bodrum you drive the D330 to Milas. There you can change to the D525 which goes north through Söke. At the roundabout in front of the city, take the second exit on the right in the direction of Priene. After approx. 15 km shortly after the village of Güllübahçe, a road on the right leads up the mountain to the parking lot in front of the archaeological site.
By boat
mobility
The site can only be explored on foot. Since the city was built on a hillside, it goes up and down here over ancient streets and stairs, sometimes quite steeply. Since the paths are understandably a little old, good footwear is definitely the order of the day.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Bouleuterion - The city council met here. In many cities like Miletus this was done in a round. Priene shows a well-preserved example of a square version. This was built in around 200 BC. And held about 500 people. It was a closed building and had a wooden ceiling of which of course not much is left. But in the upper tiers you can still make out the additional support pillars that were necessary to support the wooden roof. Later, the building was supplemented by an altar in the middle, on which a bust of gods was displayed, and additional rows of seats were added in the southern part.
- 2 Prytaneion - To the right of the Bouleuterion was the Prytaneion. The city's sacred fire burned here. In addition, guests of honor such as state guests and honorary citizens were received here. The inner courtyard with a marble table and a water basin are still very well preserved.
- 3 Upper gymnasion - Right next to the bishop's church is the upper grammar school. When the city was in bloom, the upper grammar school consisted of a courtyard surrounded by columns and surrounding small buildings for various purposes. Unfortunately, not much has been preserved.
- 4 theatre - The theater is certainly one of the highlights in Priene. Originally it had a capacity of 6500 spectators. Since the upper ranks are no longer preserved, this is not immediately apparent. The lower tiers and the stage area are in very good condition. Particularly interesting in the first row are the well-preserved seats of honor and the altar in the middle, which was dedicated to the god of the theater, Dionysus. Parts of the stage building are also well preserved. In the beginning this had a purely decorative purpose, while the performances took place in the semicircle in front of it. In the 2nd century BC The performance was moved to a stage above the column construction that was still in place. For this, the guests of honor also had to move to the fifth row. Now honors in the form of statues with inscriptions could take place in the semicircle without disturbing the spectacle.
- Fish and meat market
- 5 Byzantine basilica - Originally, the construction of various buildings was combined into one church in the 5th century. This also explains the non-rectangular floor plan. The building was later expanded twice until the church was abandoned in the 13th century. In addition to the floor plan, you can see some details, such as the staircase to the pulpit.
- Agora
- Demeter sanctuary. The remains of this temple can be found somewhat hidden at the foot of the Acropolis. A small path leads from the upper tiers of the theater to these ruins. The floor plans of the buildings are clearly visible, but the most important find, a marble statue of the high priestess Nikesso, is now in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin to find.
- Temple of Asclepius. Center of this complex from the 2nd century BC. BC put an antic temple with an altar and statue of Asclepius in front of it. Remains of the buildings can still be found, while of the statue only part of the base with the base can be seen.
- 6 Temple of Athena - That was certainly an absolute feast for the eyes, what could be seen here from the 5th century BC. A 6.5 m high statue of Athena stood in a temple supported by huge columns on a plateau high above the Gulf of Latmos, while in the background the rocky Acropolis lolls into the sky. The statue is gone and the sea is no longer in sight. But the view is still great and huge chunks of gigantic columns are lying around everywhere, five of which have been put up again. Definitely the best photo opportunities and still a highlight of the ruins. Incidentally, this temple was designed by Pytheos, the same architect who also designed the mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum had designed.
- Lower gymnasion. The lower gymnasium is much better preserved than the upper one. Particularly interesting here is the still visible bathroom with gargoyles and a wall full of antique incisions and doodles.
- Holy hall
- Stadion. This had a 20 m wide running track 191 m long. The starting places are marked with small pillars.
- 7 Residential houses
activities
shop
kitchen
There is no offer either in the entrance area or on the premises. Therefore, you should at least have enough water beforehand. In Güllübahçe there are both markets and places to stop for a break:
- 1 Şelale restaurant. Tel.: 90 (0)256 547 1009. The oldest restaurant in town right by the old aqueduct (not to be missed). The fish that is fished directly from the tank is recommended here.
- Vila Sultan Cafe Bar
nightlife
accommodation
The most popular accommodations to visit this site are certainly in Güzelçamlı and Kuşadası to find. In the village of Güllübahçe, which is located within walking distance, there is currently only one accommodation:
health
There is little shade and no kiosk on the premises. You should therefore not forget sun protection and sufficient fluids, as it can get very hot in summer. In many places there has not yet been a great restoration, so that you sometimes have to climb over rubble, so you should provide suitable footwear.
Practical advice
The area is confusing, so an overview plan should not be missing. Most of the sights have a small description in Turkish, English and German donated by J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main. Some, however, are a bit worn and difficult to read.
