Ancient theater in Side. Ancient Theater of Side, Turkey: description, photo, where it is on the map, how to get there
Address: Sumbul Sk, Side/Antalya, Türkiye
Many tourists from all over the world strive to visit Side, as a large number of historical monuments are concentrated here. One of them is the Ancient Theater, of which only ruins remain today. At the time of construction, this structure was designed for 20 thousand spectators. In the 5th-6th century, the theater building began to be used as a Christian temple.
The ancient theater of Side has some differences from other similar ancient theaters. First of all, the theater was built on a flat surface, in accordance with Roman rules. Arches were erected on the foundation to hold the seats. The entrance to the theater was through the gallery doors, and then the spectators walked along the stairs to their rows. The stage of the theater and its vaults were framed by amazingly beautiful statues, as well as Roman tiles. Today, only the broken masks of Tragedy and Comedy and the heads of Medusa have been preserved from the previous decoration.
In ancient times, gladiator fights with wild animals were held in the theater. If a naval battle was staged on the theater stage, the stage was first filled with water. To prevent spectators of the ancient theater from getting hurt during the performance, the stage was surrounded by a high one and a half meter wall.
The Roman Theater, approximately 100 meters in size, is the oldest ancient theater in Side, dating back to the 2nd century AD. The theater was built on the site of an even more ancient Hellenistic theater.
Entrance to the theater was via staircases and covered galleries. The theater was built to accommodate up to 18 thousand spectators on its territory. Such indicators make it possible to safely say that the theater was the largest in the entire province of Pamphylia. The rows of the theater are formed in the form of a semicircle with a diameter of 120 meters, and they are divided into even parts by a horizontal passage. The stage was previously decorated with friezes about Dionysus.
The Antique Museum is located next to the theater and baths. Today, from the theater props, the remains of the heads of Medusa and masks of Tragedy and Comedy, which were used in ancient times for theatrical performances, have been preserved.
Basilica at the Roman Theater
The Basilica at the Roman Theater is located in a western direction from the columned Harbor Street. This is one of the perfectly preserved monuments of Byzantine architecture in the architectural and historical complex in Side.
The basilica was built in the Byzantine canon and dates from the fifth century AD. The building is divided into three sections, which is typical for buildings of the basilica type. The plan of the basilica, like many similar buildings of the same period, is a cross inscribed in a square. Unfortunately, the roof of the building has collapsed, so it is quite difficult to get an impression of the full appearance of the building.
You can get to the architectural and historical complex in Side by taking a regular bus to the Side Otogar stop.
Entrance to the complex is free.
The city of Side in Turkey is one big attraction. Locals and tourists walk along the streets paved two thousand years ago, between ancient columns, arches and aqueducts... And everything is free! After all, modern Side fits perfectly into ancient Side, and they don’t charge money to enter the city. But even in this museum city there are special places. Let's highlight the main attractions of Side.
Sights of Side: photos, map, how to get there yourself
The main attractions of Side: contents of the article
The city of Side in Turkey: a brief historical background
Before describing the sights of Side, let's briefly talk about the rich history of this amazing place. The city on this narrow peninsula in the Mediterranean was founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BC. True, before them there was a small village called Side, which means “pomegranate” in the Aboriginal dialect. Over time, Side became the most important port in the area, which did not prevent it from surrendering to Alexander the Great without a fight in 334 BC. e. Two hundred years later, Side became part of the Roman Empire and, as part of it, became a major center of entertainment and trade. Here was the largest slave market. Side later became part of Byzantium, but in the 7th century, due to devastating earthquakes and Arab raids, people left the city.
Only at the end of the 19th century did residents return to the streets of the city - it was settled by Turkish immigrants from Crete. Gradually, Side again became a center of entertainment - but in the modern sense of the word. I am sure many of you, dear readers, had the opportunity to relax in this wonderful open-air museum!
We also spent several days here and stayed in an excellent and inexpensive hotel Sayanora Park. But the generous gifts of the all-inclusive system did not prevent us from seeing and appreciating the main attractions of Side! Which we will tell you about now.
Side Amphitheater
Perhaps, The main attraction of Side is the ancient amphitheater. It is considered the largest surviving amphitheater in Turkey: at one time it could accommodate up to 20 thousand spectators. Built in the 2nd century AD. By the way, on the stage of the theater there were not only comedies and tragedies, but also gladiator fights, and also battles between people and animals. In Byzantine times, the theater building was also used as a city quarry.
Ticket price: 20 liras.
In ancient Rome, the theater began not with a hanger, but with a room under the stands. And only then the real hanging began!
Sights of Side: The local ancient theater is the largest surviving one in Turkey.
20 thousand spectators were placed on all tiers of the theater, including the top (entrance to it is now closed).
Since ancient times, a photo shoot at the ruins has been a favorite pastime for the residents of Side.
Ancient theater in Side: after several centuries of raids and earthquakes, the stage was poorly preserved.
However, some images, carvings and other details are clearly visible.
Fountain Nymphaeum
The Nymphaeum Fountain is located just on the way from the bus station or from many hotels to the Old Town of Side. Built in the 2nd century AD. It used to be three-story and very beautiful: marble, elegant statues, frescoes... Now there are only two floors left. Or rather, one and a half. But the building was still preserved relatively well.
By the way, the fragments with rather interesting carvings, piled up in front of the fountain, are its parts that broke off due to earthquakes.
Entry price: free.
Nymphaeum Fountain in Side: what it looks like now and what it was like almost two millennia ago.
Side attractions: the Nymphaeum fountain is the first thing that will greet you on the way from the hotel to the Old Town.
Gate of Vespasian
This triumphal arch impressed us even more than other attractions in Side. The tall (about 6 meters!) gate was built in the 1st century AD in honor of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. According to legend, the emperor gave the architects the task of creating the Arc de Triomphe with the expectation that in 2000 years a double-decker tourist bus would pass freely under it. So now tourists and cars scurry under it, seeming like ants against the backdrop of the gate. In the niches of the wall next to the gate there used to be statues of noble citizens and, in fact, the emperor (now the monument to Vespasian is kept in Berlin).
Entry price: free.
Sights of Side, Türkiye. Vespasian's Gate: front view...
...and the rear view.
Temple of Apollo
You will see photos of this particular Side attraction on most tourist brochures and advertising posters. However, all that remains of the majestic building of the Temple of Apollo in Side are five columns. Moreover, it seems that they appeared here not without the participation of modern technical means))) And in the 2nd century, when this temple was built, it was a large rectangular building surrounded by 34 columns nine meters high. The Temple of Apollo in Side was destroyed by an earthquake in the 10th century.
Entry price: free.
Sights of Side, Türkiye. The canonical photo of the Temple of Apollo, which is in the album of any tourist who has visited this city.
Take the time to return to the Temple of Apollo at sunset, like we did. You'll have to go through a gauntlet of annoying waiters, but you'll get this as a reward!
Side Ancient Art Museum
Not all Side attractions are open-air. Many interesting exhibits found during excavations in the city of Side are located in the local historical museum.
The Side Museum is located near the Vespasian Gate in a perfectly preserved 5th-century Roman bathhouse. The museum has several rooms divided by theme. And of course, a cozy courtyard with peacocks and the inevitable Turkish cats. By the way, you can take pictures in the museum freely.
Ticket price: 10 liras.
The entrance to the Side Museum is located at the very Vespasian Gate.
Side attractions on the city map
Popular hotels in Side
Many of Side's attractions are located close to the hotels. Therefore, the location of the hotel is not so important - the main thing is to pay attention that the reservation system shows you the hotel in Side, and not somewhere on the outskirts or in neighboring Manavgat, located far from the sea. Food in restaurants in Side is expensive, so we recommend staying in either all-inclusive hotels or self-catering apartments. You can book a hotel in Side using many booking systems:
Friends, what sights of Side do you remember? We are waiting for your feedback! And don’t forget: we send our readers only the most interesting things!
If you are traveling to Side, Antalya, Alanya or Kemer, we can recommend a trusted travel agency, whose services we ourselves use when we come to Turkey. They have good programs, low prices and excellent guides. We have already recommended this company to friends and readers and everyone was satisfied. If interested, write to us on WhatsApp/Viber +79166440605, we will send you contact information. The guys will help you make a vacation plan, send you a price list and answer your questions.
This is one of the main attractions of the city of Side. Side has many ancient monuments, which is why it is quite popular among tourists. However, the ruins of an ancient Roman theater built in the 2nd century AD are considered the most interesting site in the city. This attraction is included in the list according to our website.
Once upon a time, the ancient theater could accommodate about 20 thousand spectators. They all came to watch the spectacular battles on stage, gladiator fights with animals, and the re-enactment of sea battles. For the safety of spectators, the stage was surrounded by a high protective wall. The theater vaults were decorated with luxurious statues. Unfortunately, they have survived to this day partially destroyed.
This attraction differs from other ancient theaters in that it was built on a flat site, and not on a hill. The entrance to the theater was through covered galleries. There were secret passages in the orchestra pit in case of a surprise attack from enemies. There in the V-VI centuries. a small basilica was built, as the theater began to be used as an open-air church during this period. In a word, Side can be safely called a treasure for historians and archaeologists.
Getting to Side is not difficult at all. Despite the fact that there is no airport in the city, buses from Antalya and Alanya often arrive here. In both cases the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Photo attraction: Side Antique Theater
The gentle warm sea, beaches with the purest sand, and cozy hotels make Turkey a magnet for millions of tourists. But, in addition to the opportunity to swim in the sea and enjoy the All Inclusive system, the Mediterranean coast invites you to plunge into the ancient history of Anatolia.
75 kilometers from Antalya, on a small peninsula, is the charming city of Side. According to scientific research, the history of the city, founded by Greek colonists, began in the 7th century BC. e. Today, this picturesque place with a fishing port and gently sloping sandy beaches offers the best conditions for relaxation.
Cozy bars and restaurants, noisy discos will diversify your evening leisure. And the countless shops will delight those who like to bargain. But the resort of the Antalya Riviera is not only famous for this. The historical monuments in the city and the Taurus Mountains make for unforgettable excursions.
Below are the most significant attractions of Side:
The old center of Side begins with an arched gate, which is 2 thousand years old. Their height is 6 meters. The walls of the building are equipped with niches. Statues of high-born citizens were placed in them. At the arched gates, columned streets begin 250 meters. Although time has not been kind to the gate, it is still the main gate in the city and leads to the main attractions.
In the 2nd century AD e. Side flourished as a center of culture and trade. Then the construction of the Temple of Apollo, located in the old part of the city, began. This majestic rectangular marble building is surrounded on all sides by columns 9 meters high. In the 10th century, a strong earthquake turned the temple into ruins.
The Temple of Artemis was built in the 2nd century AD. e. next to the Temple of Apollo. The marble building with columns was 35 m long and 20 m wide. The columns on top were decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the Gorgon Medusa. There is a legend that here Cleopatra made a date with her lover Mark Antonio. Now only 5 columns and a foundation remain on the site of the grandiose structure.
The bishop's palace and basilica are a clear example of Byzantine architecture. Both buildings were built in the 6th century BC. e.
The basilica consists of several rooms. They are connected by corridors. Of particular interest is the central living room with an unusual altar: from the outside it looks triangular, but from the inside it looks round.
The palace was built next to the basilica. Its peculiarity is that each hall has a different shape.
The basilica and the palace are connected by a tomb, forming a single complex. Its area is 10 thousand m2.
The nymphaeum is different from modern fountains. It was built opposite the city gates in the 2nd century in honor of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. At that time it was a three-story marble structure, 35 meters long and 5 meters high, divided into sections. At the base of the fountain there was a pool, into which the waters of the Manavgat River, located nearby, flowed through an aqueduct. The Nymphaeum was richly decorated with graceful niches, statues and frescoes, elements of which are now in the Side Museum. Only two floors have remained of the fountain's former splendor.
The baths (or baths) are located on the shore of the bay near the harbor. According to the traditions of antiquity, those who arrived in the city must first undergo an ablution procedure in order to wash off foreign filth. The buildings, built in the 2nd century, had a unique architecture. They were large baths. A corridor led from the baths to the steam rooms, from which, in turn, one could get into the marble pools.
Currently, the baths house a museum.
The collection of the archaeological museum is based on exhibits found in Side during excavations in the mid-20th century. The collection is housed in 4 rooms. The first introduces visitors to altars, weapons, bas-reliefs and sundials. In the second room there are Roman torsos. In the third there are amphorae and statues of the Graces, Nike and Hercules. In the fourth room you can see portraits, sculptures of gods and sarcophagi. The pride of the museum is the bronze statue of Artemis and the head of Apollo, made of marble.
Entrance to the museum is 15 Turkish lira.
The amphitheater was built in the 2nd century AD. e. It could simultaneously accommodate 16 thousand spectators. The vaults were decorated with statues and tiles with jellyfish heads. Initially, the amphitheater was conceived as a venue for fights between gladiators and animals. Then naval battles were organized here. The stage was covered with waterproof film and filled with water. From the 10th to the 11th centuries, the amphitheater acted as a Christian temple.
Behind the theater is the Agora Square, built in the 2nd century. In ancient times, Agora was an economic, commercial and administrative center. From the once majestic square, the remains of a temple and columns have been preserved, as well as the latrium - a crescent-shaped structure. These are nothing more than ancient city toilets.
The temple, the entrance to which was decorated with 4 columns, is the oldest building in ancient Side. Its history began in the 3rd century BC. e. The temple is located next to the amphitheater. This is no coincidence, since Dionysus is not only the god of wine, but also the patron of the art of drama.
Today, visitors to the ancient city can only see the ruins of the building, lost between the main street and the theater.
In the vicinity of Side, near the village of Serik, there are the ruins of ancient Aspendos - a city whose history goes back 20 centuries. There are several legends about its origin. According to one of them, this city was built by the ancient Greek tribe of the Achaeans after their triumph in Troy. Another legend says that the first to discover this land were the Argonauts.
The best preserved building of the ancient city is the Roman amphitheater. Its diameter is 96 meters and its capacity is 7 thousand people. The building contains 39 steps, its walls are decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures, and there is an arched gallery above the stands. The structure was erected in 155 and was originally used as a theater.
The architect Zeno, who built the structure, managed to provide unique acoustics. Even in the high stands, spectators can hear the quiet whispers of those talking on stage. This sound phenomenon has allowed the theater to be used today for music festivals. One of the world-famous shows is the performance “Lights of Anatolia” - a story about the civilizations of Anatolia in dance.
An aqueduct is a complex technical structure consisting of canals, tunnels and bridges, which was built in the 2nd century AD. e. The aqueduct began near the village of Serik and had a length of 15 km. Its purpose was to supply water to the city's residents. Nowadays, visitors to Aspendos can only see fragments of the majestic structure.
In Roman times, Aspendos could be reached via a bridge over the Eurymedon River (now Köprüçay). The bridge was built in the 13th century. Its foundation was the remains of an ancient bridge located on this site, built back in the 4th century by the Romans and destroyed by a strong earthquake. The basis for the construction were stone blocks. The structure was an arched structure, 260 meters long and 8 meters wide. At the end of the 20th century, the Aspendos Bridge was restored.
Antique Aspendos is open daily. Entrance to the city is free. The cost of visiting the amphitheater is 20 liras.
The ancient city is amazing. Of course, it is not as big and famous as its neighbor Aspendos. Seleucia (or Pamphylia) is located 23 kilometers from Side among pine forests on a high mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
The ancient city was founded in the 4th century BC. e. like a fortress. Surrounded by protective walls 9 meters high, it hid the inhabitants of Side from the attacks of Cilician pirates. Beyond the central gate of the walls there was a view of the quadrangular Roman Agora. It is surrounded by galleries, which in ancient times housed shopping arcades. In the western part of the city there are baths.
Seleucia was discovered by archaeologists only in the 20th century. Many decorative elements of the city walls, mosaics, as well as the statue of Apollo found here are now in the Antalya Museum.
Green Canyon, located 40 kilometers from Side, is a paradise for nature lovers. The canyon extends along the banks of the Kepru River. Here, among the majestic Taurus Mountains, is the Oymapinar lake-reservoir, formed as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power station and dam on the Manavgat River in 1977. A tunnel leads through this dam into the Green Canyon. Its name was given by the emerald green waters of the lake - the pearl of the natural park.
Lake depth - 130 meters. Transparent water, snow-capped mountains and fantastic nature create a landscape of incredible beauty. Oymapinar is located at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, which makes the air temperature comfortably cool. Nature itself took care of making this place attractive for relaxation. Here you can ride a pleasure boat, swim and fish.
Sunny Side always welcomes guests. You can get to it from Antalya Airport by taxi or regular bus. By visiting this ancient city, you will get acquainted with another Turkey that has come down to our contemporaries from the depths of centuries. It’s not for nothing that Side is called an “open-air museum.”
