Miletus is just one of many ancient ruin sites that I have been exploring lately on the Aegean Coast of Turkey. I can say that after viewing the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, all the other ancient-ruin sites have paled in comparison however I was impressed by Miletus. It has an aura around it that leaves you feeling it is hiding so many secrets from the past.
About the Miletus Ruins in Turkey
In its prime, it was a bustling ancient Greek city that actually was a sea trading port. Fast forward thousands of years and the sea eventually subsided; the city was inland and Miletus lay in ruins. Like so many other relics from the past it is slowly being rebuilt by archaeologists. The result is that we now have a tourist attraction that is definitely worth a visit.
The main focus is the theater which was probably used for gladiators who took great delight in slaughtering each other to death. However the best thing about Miletus is that you can actually walk through the passage ways that lay under the seating area of the main theater.
Steps lead up the semi-circle arena and I could not help but stand there and wonder if senators, gladiators, prisoners or slaves appeared at the top of these stairs to the loud roar of the crowd. I have to mention prisoners or slaves because in the passage ways are cells that make you wonder of the horrors that Miletus has been the host of.
Entrance to Miletus is just 10TL and you only need a morning to fully explore it. You could quite easily tag it onto a day trip and explore the nearby ruins of Apollo temple or Priene. Across from the theater are traditional restaurants and the official souvenir shop. My recommendation is that if you are in the area, Miletus is a site that must be seen.
(Foot note- I previously published a picture of Miletus under the name of Miletos. It appears that there are two spellings for the name however the most popular one seems to be Miletus and Wikipedia is also using this version, therefore I will be using this version as well)
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I too feel those whispers of history when i’m visiting places like these, wondering who has stepped there before me, who made the stone blocks that built the wall I’m touching. It’s almost like magic… And one of the reasons I love places without too many tourists to babble away the serenity 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Try looking for accommodation in Guzelcamli or Didim. Both are within half an hours drive of Miletus
Have to travel there imminently – do you knwo a budget hotel close to Miletus? All the travel websites keep showing me beach hotels in Kusadasu – nice but not what I need.
I would mind seeing that as well Thomas but no plans for Berlin travel
Having just seen the amazing reconstruction of the market gate from Miletus in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin, this archaeological site is growing on me. I had not appreciated the theatre was this well preserved.
Julia – Site seeing in Turkey can be expensive. Considering getting one of those cards that gives discounts to museum and sites like Miletos. These ruins are between the resorts of Kusadasi and Altinkum near a small Turkish village called Balat.
Okay, our knowledge of Aegean Turkish geography is not fabulous. Where is Miletus, exactly? Looks like a great site to explore and really good to hear it’s only 10 lira to get in. Exploring Turkey’s sites can get to be a bit expensive. 🙂
Julia
You should try and get to it. It’s amazing and you’ll probably have the place to yourself, particularly wonderful at sunset.
@Jack – Ephesus will always be the one for me. Believe it or not, I have still to see Priene.
@Alan – You are getting technical there. What is the Starred Agama!
still on the wish list – this has moved it up a slot or three! Flora and fauna being my thing, I loved the pic of the Starred Agama (Laudakia stellio)
There are so many magnificent sites in anicent Ionia and Caria to tumble over. Ephesus is the top of the heap but I prefer Priene which is the most complete Hellenistic site in Turkey. Ephesus overawes with its monumental scale, Priene seduces with its intimacy and superb aspect. The theatre at Miletos is amazing but the Temple of Apollo at Didyma really does it for me.