Jakob
July 23rd, 2005, 10:49 AM
About Aspendos:
Aspendos is founded by Greek colonists from Argos that came to Pamphylia after the Trojan War around 13th century BC. Soon, the city became an important trade centre and was one of the first cities in the region to strike coinage under its own name. In the 6th century BC, Lydian King Croesus conquered the city. Persians dominated Aspendos after they won the fight with Lydians. In 467 B.C, Lydians got the city back with a surprise attack. However, their domination did not last long, Persians attacked and took over.
Aspendos was dominated by Alexander, The Great, who used the city as a base in the 3rd century BC. When he died, Kingdom of Pergamum ruled Aspendians until Roman Empire expanded in the region. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AC, with wine yards and olive trees all around, Aspendos got wealthier and wealthier. Built in the 2nd Century A.C. during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Aspendos Theatre is one of the products of cultural and economical welfare. Aspendos Theatre was designed by the architect Zenon, and, according to inscriptions on it, given as a gift from two brothers, Curtius Crispinus and Curtius Auspicatus, to the Roman gods and the Imperial House. The famous aqueduct was constructed in the same period by a local architect and presented to the ruler.
Aspendos was gifted by nature, having such fertile soil and the river Eurymedon where the merchants took ships to Mediterranean Sea. It is also told that the city had the strongest horses of the time that were exported in West Mediterranean region.
Seljuk Turks settled in the region in the 13th century and restored the magnificent theatre while using it as a place for governors. During the rule of Ottomans, the historical value of the region was not noticed.
Aspendos became known all around the world after The First World War and the theatre was restored during the 1930s.
About the amphitheatre:
The most important property of Aspendos Antique Theatre with the capacity of 15000 people is its solidity. After many earthquakes, Aspendos is still standing with its astonishing architecture. There are the boxes of selected citizens on the main entrances. The upper side of the auditorium is surrounded by 58 columns and a gallery consisted of an arch. The whole auditorium has 20 lines of seat in underside and 21 lines of seat in upper side. This theatre is built by local architects Xenon and his two brothers Curtius Chrispinus and Curtius Auscipatus in the period of the Emperor Antonius Pius (138-164). It attracts attention with its special acoustic. You can test it by yourself too. Go upstairs, send your friends to the stage, and tell them to talk silently. If there isn’t noise around you can hear them easily. The visitors love to play this game.
Moreover, there is a legend about Aspendos. According to a rumour among locals; Antonius Pius had a beautiful daughter and two architects were in love with her. Antonius Pius gave a duty both of them; he told that he would marry off his daughter with the man who makes the most beautiful and useful creation. One architect built the aqueduct bringing water to Belkıs, and the other one the theatre. The Emperor was surprised and couldn’t make a decision. He wanted to divide his daughter into two pieces but the builder of aqueduct who was loving this girl more then the other architect objected this decision and said, “let her marry with the creator of the theatre.”
Aspendos Theatre welcomes many musicians every year. The annual festival of opera and ballet is being organized between 10th and 20th July. International artists give concerts and the magnificent theatre combines historical values with artistic talent of human beings.
Surprisingly, the theatre was neglected until 1930’s. After the visit of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who was a sensitive administrator about the cultural values of the country, Aspendos was taken under protection of the state. In the photographs exhibited in the Museum of Aspendos Theatre, you can see how this historical building was neglected before 1930s. Therefore, we are grateful for the well-cared situation of Aspendos Theatre to Atatürk. The Museum of Aspendos Theatre is a very small place; there are articles about the theatre, pictures of actors during the ancient times, and some photos of the theatre.
Basilica-Agora located at the eastside of the theatre is covered by herbs and is ruined. You have to walk along the trail existing on the backside of the theatre. It’s a tiring way because of the herbs and thorns although it’s 200 meters only. Moreover, you will see some marble ruins along the way so the history is under your feet. You see ruins of gymnasium, hammam (bath) and fountain. You can see only the front side of this fountain located at the north of Agora. The ruins of the city council building are at the northwest. Since there are no signboards to explain the ruins in Agora you have to look around carefully. There is a necropolis at the east side of the city centre covered by daisies. The excavations in this area are controlled by Antalya Museum.
Belkis Bridge at the length of 225 meters is built on Köprüçay known as “Eurymedon” in the past years. One more bridge is constructed on the ruins of the bridge built by Romans in the time of Alaaddin Keykubad, the Emperor of Anatolian Seljuk. The restoration in 1996-1998 make the Bridge useful but then it was banned for all types of vehicles. Today no vehicles can pass from this bridge. It’s thought that the aqueduct of Belkis Village was built at the same time with the theatre. You can climb up by a narrow passage between the water arches. This passage consists of narrow and dark stairs; you reach upper part by turning. Some parts of the arches are ruined but when you go to east, you see clays from the Byzantine period.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/2326a07f.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/86ca6841.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/e838a82d.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/7949a28a.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/2d768e1b.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/cd252219.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/89b54276.jpg
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival:
Aspendos Opera & Ballet Festival, exhibits significant contributions to our country’s international introduction by offering the extraordinary acoustic of Aspendos Antique Theatre of 2000 years old, Antalya’s natural beauties and the structure of art that doesn’t recognise any boundaries, language, religion and race.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, being the single opera and ballet festival of our country is the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994 whereas today, it is nominated among world’s famous festivals by the international dimension that it obtained as of 1998.
The fact of demonstrating opera and ballet arts in the antique theatre of Aspendos, history of which is based on two thousand years ago, charges a different meaning on Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival. 6,000-8,000 spectators in average watch each performance in our festival wherein foreign tourists constitute 70% of the same. With its increasing spectators year by year, Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival has been converted into a visual festival wherein history, music and a lot of people from several nations come together.
With its successes achieved in regards of artistic point of view, our Festival, has been accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among respectful organisations of Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has proven once more its considerate place among other festivals of the world.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, has occupied the 5th. place among 10 best festivals according to a research performed by the newspaper, The Independent, published in England, among opera festivals held over the world.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, has become the first and unique festival in the world which possesses TS-EN-ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Assurance Certificate.
http://operabale.kultur.gov.tr/aspendos/festival/12aspendos/images/12aspendoseng.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/02ae191b.jpg
Aspendos is founded by Greek colonists from Argos that came to Pamphylia after the Trojan War around 13th century BC. Soon, the city became an important trade centre and was one of the first cities in the region to strike coinage under its own name. In the 6th century BC, Lydian King Croesus conquered the city. Persians dominated Aspendos after they won the fight with Lydians. In 467 B.C, Lydians got the city back with a surprise attack. However, their domination did not last long, Persians attacked and took over.
Aspendos was dominated by Alexander, The Great, who used the city as a base in the 3rd century BC. When he died, Kingdom of Pergamum ruled Aspendians until Roman Empire expanded in the region. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AC, with wine yards and olive trees all around, Aspendos got wealthier and wealthier. Built in the 2nd Century A.C. during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Aspendos Theatre is one of the products of cultural and economical welfare. Aspendos Theatre was designed by the architect Zenon, and, according to inscriptions on it, given as a gift from two brothers, Curtius Crispinus and Curtius Auspicatus, to the Roman gods and the Imperial House. The famous aqueduct was constructed in the same period by a local architect and presented to the ruler.
Aspendos was gifted by nature, having such fertile soil and the river Eurymedon where the merchants took ships to Mediterranean Sea. It is also told that the city had the strongest horses of the time that were exported in West Mediterranean region.
Seljuk Turks settled in the region in the 13th century and restored the magnificent theatre while using it as a place for governors. During the rule of Ottomans, the historical value of the region was not noticed.
Aspendos became known all around the world after The First World War and the theatre was restored during the 1930s.
About the amphitheatre:
The most important property of Aspendos Antique Theatre with the capacity of 15000 people is its solidity. After many earthquakes, Aspendos is still standing with its astonishing architecture. There are the boxes of selected citizens on the main entrances. The upper side of the auditorium is surrounded by 58 columns and a gallery consisted of an arch. The whole auditorium has 20 lines of seat in underside and 21 lines of seat in upper side. This theatre is built by local architects Xenon and his two brothers Curtius Chrispinus and Curtius Auscipatus in the period of the Emperor Antonius Pius (138-164). It attracts attention with its special acoustic. You can test it by yourself too. Go upstairs, send your friends to the stage, and tell them to talk silently. If there isn’t noise around you can hear them easily. The visitors love to play this game.
Moreover, there is a legend about Aspendos. According to a rumour among locals; Antonius Pius had a beautiful daughter and two architects were in love with her. Antonius Pius gave a duty both of them; he told that he would marry off his daughter with the man who makes the most beautiful and useful creation. One architect built the aqueduct bringing water to Belkıs, and the other one the theatre. The Emperor was surprised and couldn’t make a decision. He wanted to divide his daughter into two pieces but the builder of aqueduct who was loving this girl more then the other architect objected this decision and said, “let her marry with the creator of the theatre.”
Aspendos Theatre welcomes many musicians every year. The annual festival of opera and ballet is being organized between 10th and 20th July. International artists give concerts and the magnificent theatre combines historical values with artistic talent of human beings.
Surprisingly, the theatre was neglected until 1930’s. After the visit of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who was a sensitive administrator about the cultural values of the country, Aspendos was taken under protection of the state. In the photographs exhibited in the Museum of Aspendos Theatre, you can see how this historical building was neglected before 1930s. Therefore, we are grateful for the well-cared situation of Aspendos Theatre to Atatürk. The Museum of Aspendos Theatre is a very small place; there are articles about the theatre, pictures of actors during the ancient times, and some photos of the theatre.
Basilica-Agora located at the eastside of the theatre is covered by herbs and is ruined. You have to walk along the trail existing on the backside of the theatre. It’s a tiring way because of the herbs and thorns although it’s 200 meters only. Moreover, you will see some marble ruins along the way so the history is under your feet. You see ruins of gymnasium, hammam (bath) and fountain. You can see only the front side of this fountain located at the north of Agora. The ruins of the city council building are at the northwest. Since there are no signboards to explain the ruins in Agora you have to look around carefully. There is a necropolis at the east side of the city centre covered by daisies. The excavations in this area are controlled by Antalya Museum.
Belkis Bridge at the length of 225 meters is built on Köprüçay known as “Eurymedon” in the past years. One more bridge is constructed on the ruins of the bridge built by Romans in the time of Alaaddin Keykubad, the Emperor of Anatolian Seljuk. The restoration in 1996-1998 make the Bridge useful but then it was banned for all types of vehicles. Today no vehicles can pass from this bridge. It’s thought that the aqueduct of Belkis Village was built at the same time with the theatre. You can climb up by a narrow passage between the water arches. This passage consists of narrow and dark stairs; you reach upper part by turning. Some parts of the arches are ruined but when you go to east, you see clays from the Byzantine period.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/2326a07f.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/86ca6841.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/e838a82d.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/7949a28a.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/2d768e1b.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/cd252219.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/89b54276.jpg
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival:
Aspendos Opera & Ballet Festival, exhibits significant contributions to our country’s international introduction by offering the extraordinary acoustic of Aspendos Antique Theatre of 2000 years old, Antalya’s natural beauties and the structure of art that doesn’t recognise any boundaries, language, religion and race.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, being the single opera and ballet festival of our country is the most important organisation of the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet since 1994 whereas today, it is nominated among world’s famous festivals by the international dimension that it obtained as of 1998.
The fact of demonstrating opera and ballet arts in the antique theatre of Aspendos, history of which is based on two thousand years ago, charges a different meaning on Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival. 6,000-8,000 spectators in average watch each performance in our festival wherein foreign tourists constitute 70% of the same. With its increasing spectators year by year, Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival has been converted into a visual festival wherein history, music and a lot of people from several nations come together.
With its successes achieved in regards of artistic point of view, our Festival, has been accepted to EFA-European Festivals Association which is among respectful organisations of Europe, on October 24, 2003 and thus has proven once more its considerate place among other festivals of the world.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, has occupied the 5th. place among 10 best festivals according to a research performed by the newspaper, The Independent, published in England, among opera festivals held over the world.
Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival, has become the first and unique festival in the world which possesses TS-EN-ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Assurance Certificate.
http://operabale.kultur.gov.tr/aspendos/festival/12aspendos/images/12aspendoseng.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/jakob_zh/Architecture/02ae191b.jpg