When someone else in our tour group asked our guide about the possibility of visiting an additional archaeological site not included in our official itinerary, we jumped at the chance. At our own cost, we could explore Laodicea on the Lycus, an ancient city that promised to deliver something truly special. What we discovered was an archaeological treasure.
Stepping onto the grounds of Laodicea felt like entering a secret world. The site was remarkably quiet, with virtually no other visitors in sight. We wandered through millennia of history with an almost eerie sense of solitude, as if the ancient ruins had been preserved exclusively for our exploration. This isolation allowed us to fully appreciate the magnitude and significance of what lay before us without the typical crowds found at more famous archaeological destinations.
The Rich Heritage of Laodicea
Laodicea on the Lycus represents one of Turkey’s most significant archaeological sites, earning its place on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. Located near the modern city of Denizli in southwestern Turkey, this ancient settlement served as a major crossroads in the Roman Empire. Founded between 261-253 BCE by Antiochus II Theos of the Seleucid Empire, the city was named in honour of his wife, Laodice. Archaeological evidence suggests continuous habitation from approximately 5500 BCE to the seventh century CE, making this site a remarkable window into thousands of years of human civilization.
The city flourished as a major commercial hub during the Roman period, positioned strategically at the crossroads of important trade routes connecting western, central, and southern Anatolia. Laodicea became renowned for its banking services, black wool trade, and medical achievements. The city’s prosperity was legendary – when a devastating earthquake struck in 60 CE, the wealthy inhabitants famously refused financial assistance from the Roman Empire, choosing instead to rebuild using their own resources.
The Monument to Trajan: A Marvel of Imperial Propaganda
Among Laodicea’s most remarkable discoveries is the Monument to Trajan, a masterpiece of Roman sculptural art that commands attention and respect. This extraordinary 3-metre-tall statue, dating to 113 CE, depicts Emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus in full military regalia, showcasing the artistic sophistication of the Roman Empire at its peak. The statue was discovered in 356 fragments beneath an ancient fountain and has been meticulously reconstructed by archaeologists.
The monument serves as a fascinating example of how Roman emperors used public art to communicate their power and achievements.
A Glimpse of Preserved Ancient Ceilings
One of our most exciting discoveries was encountering preserved ceiling structures, a relatively rare find in ancient archaeological sites.
Most ancient buildings have lost their roofs and upper architectural elements over the millennia, making ceiling remains particularly valuable for understanding original construction techniques and decorative programs.
The Partially Excavated Amphitheatre
Laodicea’s amphitheatre represents an ongoing archaeological project that illustrates the meticulous nature of modern excavation work. Unlike fully restored sites, this partially excavated structure allows visitors to witness archaeology in progress. The amphitheatre reveals the complexity of ancient entertainment venues, with its sophisticated underground systems for staging elaborate performances and spectacles.
The structure demonstrates the Romans’ engineering prowess in creating venues that could accommodate thousands of spectators while providing optimal sight lines and acoustics. The site actually contains two theatres: the West Theatre, built in the 2nd century BCE during the Hellenistic period with a capacity of 8,000 spectators, and the larger North Theatre, constructed during the Roman Imperial period with seating for up to 15,000 people. Excavation work continues to reveal new details about how these ancient entertainment complexes functioned, including staging areas, animal holding pens, and mechanical systems used to create spectacular shows for ancient audiences.
Laodicea boasts some of the most impressive archaeological remains in Turkey. Even today, the site is still being excvated.
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