Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias was one of the most important cities of ancient Caria in what is now southwestern Turkey, taking its name from the central temple of Aphrodite that functioned as a major cult and pilgrimage center for centuries. The city reached its height under Roman rule and was particularly celebrated for its school of sculpture — marble works from Aphrodisias were exported across the empire to Rome and beyond. The site today ranks among the best-preserved classical ruins in the eastern Mediterranean: a nearly intact stadium that once held 30,000 spectators, the Tetrapylon gateway, and a standing Odeon give a vivid sense of urban scale. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, the on-site museum holds an exceptional collection of Hellenistic and Roman portrait heads and relief carvings.