Tralleis Aydın

"As intellectuals, we used to play football here as children. Now, we realize that excavations are uncovering a large city. For years, the locals have called this great archway "Üçgözler" (Three Eyed Arches). We knew it as the harbor entrance, but looking at the excavations, we see that it was a large bathhouse and gymnasium.

Tralles is one of the most important and largest ancient cities in the Aegean region. Unfortunately, only a small portion of it has been excavated today. In fact, a military base was built on top of it. Because it was located in a military base, excavations are not possible. Even 5 km away from the site of the ancient large bathhouse and gymnasium, known as Üzgözler, there are ruins waiting to be excavated. One kilometer away is the entrance to the Arsenal tunnels.
Gymnasiums and baths were often found together in ancient cities. This was a training and education center for the city's youth and men for warfare. After training, the bathhouse was used for bathing. Judging by the size of the buildings now uncovered, there are more than enough bathhouses and gymnasiums to be excavated. The reason it's so large is understood to be a military and regional defense city. The arsenal tunnels' leads are still unknown. Anyone who enters them disappears. People used to tell old stories as children, saying people entered these tunnels only to emerge years later and lose their minds. I believe these tunnels provided connections to other cities in the region.

This region is the cradle and intersection of three distinct civilizations and kingdoms: Lydia in the north, Caria in the south, and Ionia in the center. In fact, Tralles was once a port city. The sea reached the Aydın plain, which became a plain thanks to the alluvial deposits of the Meander River.

Now, let's get to the main point.

Unfortunately, such a city hasn't received much attention. It's a treasure trove. As children, we always heard that Aydın was full of tunnels and treasures.

The Ministry of Tourism has initiated excavations and restorations everywhere. Many ancient cities have been unearthed and restored. Lighting has been installed. So why isn't the Ministry showing any interest in this place? While other ancient cities are open to visitors while excavations are ongoing, this one is closed. Why?
When I spoke with the museum director, he complained that he couldn't find funding for the excavation. Are the avenues for securing funding from the government and the ministry closed?

But there are things here, and they're closed to visitors. There's a certain secrecy. From what I heard from the guard at the gate, visitors do come here. A fee would be a source of income for the excavation.

But whatever is being found and researched here is being carried out with the utmost secrecy. The military also conducts clandestine excavations. Half the city is under military control.

I've been trying to film an amateur documentary of this site for a long time. One day, the guard helped me, and I filmed inside. You can watch the latest footage of this site in my video."

TURIZM HABERLERİ

"The ancient city of Tralleis is a very important and rich ancient city located on the southern slopes of Mount Kestane, north of Aydın, approximately 1 km from the city center. With a history dating back to the 5th century BC, Tralleis was founded by the Argives and local Trallesians, remained under Lydian and Roman rule, and was in use until the Byzantine period.

The city was an important economic, political, and cultural center. It was particularly prominent in sculpture, architecture, and ceramic production during the Hellenistic period. Among its important structures are the Roman-era gymnasium (known to the locals as "Üçgözler"), baths, a theater, an agora, and a stadium. Furthermore, its rich marble deposits and talented artists have made the city renowned for sculpture. Surrounded by fertile lands for trade and agriculture, it is an important economic center.

Excavation and restoration work is ongoing, and the city boasts well-preserved ruins and a rich archaeological heritage on the high plateau. While some structures were damaged by earthquakes and quarrying, the impressive ruins, despite their extensive destruction, are still open to visitors. Excavations have also unearthed significant finds, including shops and a semicircular fountain dating back to the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods.

Overall, the Ancient City of Tralleis is a valuable ancient settlement with rich remains and a deep historical past, a must-see in Aydın for both history and archaeology enthusiasts and cultural tourism enthusiasts.

In summary, with its architectural and artistic richness, strategic location, and rich remains, the Ancient City of Tralleis holds a significant place in Aydın's cultural memory and is highly worthy of a visit."

Çağdaş Bey

"Construction is currently underway, so it's closed. We walked down a narrow road and parked in the lot. As we climbed the hill, we emerged into a lush green area lined with olive trees. It's fenced off, but even from a distance, three eyes are visible. I hope it reopens to visitors soon."

Gozde Atik