Metropolis Ancient City

📍 İzmir, Torbalı📅 Hellenistic – Roman – Byzantine (Established in 3rd century BC)

Museum

Description

An ancient city that was an important settlement during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, meaning 'City of the Mother Goddess'.

Story

Metropolis Ancient City is an important archaeological site located near Torbalı district of Izmir, in a strategic position between major centers such as Ephesus and Smyrna (Izmir), and has been continuously inhabited throughout history. Its name, in Ancient Greek, means 'City of the Mother Goddess,' which indicates the city's importance to the cult of the Mother Goddess. Dating back to the Early Bronze Age, Metropolis experienced one of its brightest periods during the Hellenistic era (3rd century BC) and developed an acropolis (upper city) surrounded by strong defensive walls. The Kingdom of Pergamon, the most important rulers of the city during this period, made significant contributions to Metropolis's architectural development. During the Roman period, the city further developed and was equipped with public structures such as a theater, stoa (porticoed gallery), baths, a gymnasium (sports school), and houses with mosaics. Sculptures and inscriptions unearthed during excavations reveal the richness of the city's social and commercial life. The Hellenistic Theater, in particular, is one of the well-preserved examples in Anatolia and hosted the city's artistic events. The city's existence during the Byzantine period continued mostly with the repair of its walls and its use as a fortress. During the Ottoman Empire period, the settlement shifted to the surrounding areas of Torbalı and Yeniköy at its foothills. Metropolis's uniqueness lies in its vital importance for tracing the transition periods between different civilizations in Anatolia, despite remaining in the shadow of Ephesus and Pergamon. Some of the artifacts unearthed during excavations are exhibited in the Izmir and Ephesus Museums. Today, Metropolis is a silent and impressive archaeological site, offering visitors concrete information about Hellenistic and Roman urban planning.

Visit Tips

Explore the excavation site and the unearthed Terrace Houses mosaics.
Discover the city's main structures like the Bouleuterion and Theatre.
Observe architectural differences by comparing with other ancient cities of İzmir (Ephesus, Bayraklı).
It's close to Torbalı; private vehicle is recommended for transportation.

Photos

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