ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF PRIENE

The ascent is rough to reach the site (10-15 minutes of ascent) with large stone steps. Priene is a city built according to the checkerboard plan of Hippodamus of Miletus. The terraced layout of the ruins allows for a panoramic view of the area and the curves of the Meander River. From the main entrance, you have to climb several steps to reach the bouleutêrion, seat of the Senate, very well preserved. The marble base that you can see in the center was an altar used for ritual sacrifices. Going down, you discover the real center of the city. The fragments of some Doric or Ionian columns prove the location of the stoa. Next to it, the temple of Zeus and the agora are located. It is still necessary to go up to see the ruins, in very bad state, of the gymnasium, the stadium and the baths.

It is better to go to the residential area, below the agora, which allows you to see the structure of the houses in the 4th century BC, with the rooms distributed around an inner court. A little higher up, five columns testify to the location of the magnificent temple of Athena Pallas created by the famous architect Pytheus. Going down towards the exit, you can see the theater, in good condition, with the places of honor clearly visible. Behind it are the ruins of a Byzantine basilica. Only the very motivated will climb the path that leads to the site of the ancient acropolis, they will be rewarded by the beauty of the landscape.