Aphrodisias Museum and Archaeological Site

Aphrodisias was dedicated to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, and it keeps its monuments in remarkable condition. It joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017. Excavations directed by archaeologist Kenan Erim between 1961 and 1990 brought most of it to light. In Roman times the city was known for the cult of its goddess, from which it took its name, and for a celebrated sculpture school that drew on rich local marble.

A prehistoric settlement stood here long before the city, which was founded in the 6th century BC as a small village with the first temple of Aphrodite. In the 2nd century BC it was replanned on a grid, and in the 1st century BC it came under the protection of Augustus, gaining monuments that still stand. By the late 3rd century AD it was one of the great cities of Roman Caria, then lost importance from the 6th century and was abandoned by the 12th.

Highlights include what is considered the best-preserved stadium of the ancient world, about 270 metres long with seating for some 30,000 people, plus the monumental temple gate and the white-marble theatre for about seven thousand. The Temple of Aphrodite was turned into a church around AD 500. The museum at the entrance shows finds from the excavations, above all its rich sculpture collection.