Magnesia (Magnesia Ad Meandrum) Ancient City Magnesia Ancient City, also referred to as Magnesia Ad Meandrum, is located in Tekinköy, near the Ortaklar district in Aydın Province of Northwestern Turkey. Situated about 100 km south of Izmir, this archaeological site has been the subject of ongoing excavations since 1984. Its strategic location along the main route connecting Ortaklar to Söke, combined with its rich cultural and natural assets, makes it an accessible and noteworthy destination for visitors. Founded during the Hellenistic period, Magnesia expanded to cover roughly 550 hectares. Today, it stands as an important archaeological treasure, preserved to offer insights into ancient lifestyles for future generations. Magnesia (Magnesia Ad Meandrum) Ancient City Historical sources indicate that Magnesia was established by settlers from Thessalia, guided by the oracle of Apollo and led by their chief Leukippos. While the exact location of the original city remains uncertain, it is thought to have been near the Meander River, which once formed a bay along the Aegean Sea. Due to shifts in the Meander River’s path and invasions by the Persian Empire, the settlement was later moved to its present site beside the Gümüşçay River. During the Hellenistic era, Magnesia came under the rule of Seleucos and subsequently the Kingdom of Pergamon. Although the city survived the Roman conquest, it rose to prominence as a religious center throughout the Byzantine period. Magnesia, also known as Magnesia-on-the-Maeandrum, was a prominent city in the region of Asia Minor, notable for its strategic and commercial significance during its heyday. The city was designed with a grid layout and enclosed by extensive walls, spanning approximately 1.5 kilometers in diameter. Unlike many other ancient settlements in the area, Magnesia’s ruins were not completely destroyed. Instead, the city was buried by flooding and sediment deposits from the river, which protected it from looting for many centuries. Initial archaeological digs at Magnesia began in 1891 and continued for two years. Artifacts uncovered during these excavations are now exhibited in museums across Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul. After a lengthy pause, excavation work was restarted in 1984 by the Ministry of Culture and Ankara University, as the site had been covered by layers of soil over time. The most important remaining structure in Magnesia is the Temple of Artemis, built by the celebrated architect Hermogenes, who is renowned for his design of octagonal pseudo-dipteros—eight-sided Greek temples. This temple was rebuilt during the Hellenistic period, around the late 3rd century BC, atop the foundations of an earlier temple from an older era. The Temple of Artemis in Magnesia was constructed in the Ionic order and featured a layout of 8 by 15 columns, spanning an area of approximately 67 by 40 meters (220 by 131 feet). It ranked as one of the largest temples in Anatolia, placing third after the temples at Didyma and Ephesus, according to Strabo. The altar, shaped like a U, was grand in scale and decorated with elaborate friezes and statues. The city’s theater, built during the 2nd century BC, followed a classical architectural style. The Agora and Zeus altar, attributed to the architect Hermogenes and dating from the early 2nd century BC, covered about 26,000 square meters (6.5 acres) and stood as one of the largest marketplaces in Asia Minor at the time. Other surviving ruins at Magnesia mainly come from the Roman and Byzantine periods, including structures such as the gymnasium, bath complex, odeon, and the stadium, which had a seating capacity of around 25,000 spectators. Additionally, there are remains of a basilica and a Byzantine defensive wall. The Çerkez Musa Mosque, built in the 15th century, is the sole Ottoman construction within the site. Excavations at Magnesia are ongoing, and many discoveries still await. If you have any questions or would like more information about Magnesia (Magnesia Ad Meandrum) Ancient City, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.