Priene
Priene which is in Güllübahçe at a distance of 15 km from Söke, was
carried to its present locality in the year 350 B.C. from the original
place where it had been founded earlier. At the point of entrance of the
ruins, a road on the right leads us to the Theater of Priene.The theater
had been built during the Hellenistic period, and underwent
modifications during the Roman period.
The theater consists of 50 rows of
seats and is capable of holding 5.000 people and, in the section of the
orchestra of the theater, there are marble armchairs reserved for
eminent people. On the right side of the theater, the Themenos of
Egyptian Gods is situated. The upper Gymnasium is in front of the
theater and the Byzantine church is at its side. You pass to the famous
Temple of Athena from here. The Temple of Athena belongs to the 4th
century B.C. and it is the work of the architect Pytheos. The temple,
with 6 x 11 columns, has dimensions of 19.55 x 37.20 m. A few columns of
the temple, which is a classical example of Ionian architecture, have
been erected.
Alexander the Great had the eastern
half of the temple completed. The altar in the front was decorated with
high reliefs in the past, and it belongs to the 2nd century B.C. The
Stoa that displays a graceful example of stone-workmanship, is on the
south of the Temple of Athena. When you go downwards from the temple,
you see the Agora of Priene which belongs to the 3rd century B.C. The
sacred Stoa belonging to the 2nd century B.C., is situated north of the
Agora. Bauleuterion (the assembly building) which looks like a small
theater, with dimensions of 20 x 21 m and capacity for 640 people, is
adjacent to the Stoa and, adjacent to it, there is Prytaneion (2nd
century B.C.) where the sacred fire used to burn. Temenos of Zeus
Olympios and the food market are situated east and west of the Agora
respectively. There are houses on two sides of the avenue which connects
the Agora to the western gate. Temenos of Kybele and the house of
Alexander the Great, are situated at the western gate side of the
avenue. In the extreme south of Priene, the lower Gymnasium and the
Stadium are situated.