Aspendos
Aspendos hits you with scale before you’ve even stepped inside. From the outside, the theatre looks solid, almost fortress-like, with thick walls and a brooding presence, diminished somewhat by the cheery posters. But walk through the gate and it opens into one of the most breathtakingly preserved Roman theatres I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot of them. Outside the theatre, the site is scattered and more worn, but still worth exploring. The aqueduct in particular is enormous, a feat of engineering snaking across the countryside.
Sights & Culture
Aspendos Theatre
A Roman theatre seating 15,000, still used today for operas and performances as well as a regular show of Turkish culture. The stage building is incredibly well preserved, with detailed stone carvings and massive arches. A few visible replacements have been made on seats that are not doing so well, their new stone shining amongst the older weathered seats.
Aqueduct
Partially collapsed, but still impressive by all accounts. It carried water from the hills over 15 km away using a clever siphon system. You can walk parts of the route to get a better look, but we lacked the time on our tour to make it.
Basilica
Remains of the Roman marketplace and civic buildings sit uphill from the theatre. Not as well preserved, but atmospheric with panoramic views of the valley.
Stadium
Seemigly cut into the earth, the Aspendos Stadium is striking.
Museums & Galleries
Antalya Museum (off-site)
Most of the artefacts from Aspendos have been moved to the Antalya Museum, keeping them one step ahead of the tendrils of the British Musuem.
Parks & Gardens
Olive Groves & Scrubland
Aspendos sits in open countryside, surrounded by olive trees and rough brush. Not landscaped but very peaceful, especially if you walk out beyond the theatre to one of the outcroppings looking over the valley.
Shoppping
A few souvenir stalls
Basic offerings near the entrance selling the normal postcards, bottled water, scarves, and fridge magnets. Not a major shopping site.
Sports & Activities
Testing the Acoustics
It’s a tradition to stand in the middle of the theatre and clap, sing, or shout. The echo is surreal. You feel like you're inside a giant stone speaker.
