Priene Ancient City
Travel Point Overview
Located on the southern slopes of Mount Samsun (Mykale), about 15 kilometers southwest of Söke in Aydın Province, Priene Ancient City is widely regarded as one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world. With its impressive architecture, ....
🏛️ Priene Ancient City – One of the Best-Preserved Examples of Urban Planning in Anatolia
Located on the southern slopes of Mount Samsun (Mykale), about 15 kilometers southwest of Söke in Aydın Province, Priene Ancient City is widely regarded as one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world. With its impressive architecture, grid-based city plan, and scenic hillside location, Priene offers visitors a unique glimpse into the classical era.
🏺 Historical Background
📜 Priene was a member of the Ionian League, and the first records of the city date back to the 7th century BC.
🏗️ The city was rebuilt in the mid-4th century BC using the famous grid plan developed by Hippodamos of Miletus, considered one of the earliest urban planners in history.
⛪ During the Byzantine period, Priene became an important bishopric center. Over time, the city gradually lost its coastal position due to alluvial deposits from the Meander River, and by the 13th century AD, it had been completely abandoned.
🛡️ Built on steep and rocky terrain, Priene enjoyed natural protection, making it highly defensible against attacks.
🏗️ Architectural Highlights
Priene is celebrated for its masterful city layout and well-preserved monuments. Notable structures include:
- 🏛️ Temple of Athena – The city’s iconic structure, supported by Alexander the Great, and designed with classical symmetry
- 🧱 Agora – The bustling center of commerce and public life
- 🏟️ Theatre – Built around 350 BC, it could accommodate 5,000 spectators and remains remarkably intact
- 🏺 Temples of Zeus, Demeter, and Egyptian Deities
- 🏛️ Bouleuterion (council chamber), Upper and Lower Gymnasiums
- 🏚️ Residential houses – Among the best-preserved examples from the Late Classical and Hellenistic periods
- ⛪ Byzantine church and necropolis area
Thanks to its extraordinary preservation, Priene is often referred to as the “Pompeii of Anatolia.”
📍 How to Get There
📌 Address: Priene Ruins, Güllübahçe, 09230 Söke / Aydın
🚌 Transportation:
- From Aydın city center, you can take municipal buses or minibuses to Didim or Söke.
- After arriving at Güllübahçe Village, you can walk or take a short taxi ride to the archaeological site.
🎟️ Visitor Information
- 🕒 Opening Hours: 08:30 – 19:00
- ⛔ Ticket Booth Closes: 18:30
- 📅 Open: Every day
- 🎫 Entrance Fee: €4
- 💳 MüzeKart (Museum Pass) is accepted
📸 Why Visit Priene?
✅ Discover one of the most intact examples of ancient urban planning
✅ Walk through centuries of history from Hellenistic to Byzantine times
✅ Enjoy a peaceful and scenic setting with views of the Meander valley
✅ Capture stunning photographs among timeless ruins
✅ A perfect stop between Aydın, Kuşadası, and Didim
✨ Final Thoughts
Priene Ancient City is not just a place of stones and ruins — it’s a window into the past where architecture, society, and natural landscape meet in harmony. If you're exploring western Turkey and have a passion for history, culture, or archaeology, Priene promises a rewarding and unforgettable journey into the ancient world.
