Aspendos
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Photo: WOW Turkey
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Aspendos theatre is known for its best-preserved Roman theatre in Turkey with seating for 10000 and still maintains its original height. It was designed during the 2nd century and dedicated to the Imperial family. Discovered in 1871 the theatre is in excellent condition thanks to the top quality of the calcareous stone and to the fact that the Seljuks turned it into a palace, reinforcing the entire north wing with bricks. The elegant gallery and covered arcade at the top sheltered spectators.
While the theater's galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architects success, the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia stand nearby.
There is an amusing anecdote about the construction of this theatre and the
aqueduct just outside the town
In ancient times, the King of Aspendos had a
daughter of rare beauty named Semiramis, contended by two architects; the king
decided to marry her off to the one who built an important public work in the
shortest space of time. The two suitors completed two public works at the same
time: the theatre and the aqueduct. As the sovereign liked both buildings, he
thought it right and just to divide his daughter in half. Whereas the designer
of the aqueduct accepted the division, the other preferred to grant the princess
wholly to her rival. In this way, the sovereign understood that the designer
of the theatre had not only built a magnificent theatre, but would also be an
excellent husband to his daughter; consequently he granted him her hand in marriage.
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