Ancient city of Iasos

Iassos is an ancient Greek city in the vicinity of Bodrum and it is located on the shores of the Gulf of Yasos (now the Gyullyk Gulf) opposite the modern village of Gulluk. In ancient times, Iassos was located on the island, but over time, the strait between it and the mainland disappeared and the island became a peninsula.

During the archaeological excavations it was found that the most ancient settlement of Iassos existed on the island until the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Historians believe that Iassos was founded by Greek immigrants from Argos, and the name of the city comes from the name of the founder of the city. The image of this man with a beard was found on an ancient coin with the inscription: “The Founder of Yasos”.

The oldest mention of the ancient city belongs to the 5th century. BC. As a result of the ancient wars, the city repeatedly passed "from hand to hand" and was repeatedly looted by various conquerors. After the Persian conquest, Philip V of Macedon captured Iassos, then the city became part of the Roman Empire.

It is believed that the main occupation of the inhabitants of the barren city of Iasos was fishing and fish trade. That is why the main place in the city was occupied by the fish market, as evidenced by the ruins of the city today.

The excavations of the ancient city were carried out by Italian archaeologists since 1993, and in 1995 the city’s open-air museum was opened. The exposition of the museum includes: a four-door agora, a large fortress wall, an aqueduct, a theater, barracks and sarcophagi belonging to the Roman period and, of course, a fish market located outside the fortress walls, located on a flat platform in the central part of the city.

The ruins of ancient Iassos today are an attractive historical landmark, which instantly takes you to the mysterious atmosphere of the past, breaking the connection of centuries. The time spent here will never be considered as lost, because acquaintance with the layers of history enriches life and brings philosophy thoughts.

The ancient city of Caria has one more peculiarity: it is located in a real bird paradise. The fact is that today, in the vicinity of the city in Gulluk Bay, there are protected rare waterfowls - numerous species of ducks, pelicans and many others. Thus, it will be possible not only to walk along the ruins of the ancient city, but also to see a number of rare birds in their natural habitat.

Free entrance