Ancient City of Iasos

Iasos Ancient City is an ancient port city located within the boundaries of Kıyıkışlacık Village, in the Milas district of Muğla Province, approximately 26 kilometers west of Milas. The earliest archaeological finds date back to the 3rd millennium BCE, and the oldest architectural remains are wall fragments from the Bronze Age, dated to the 2nd millennium BCE. The city bears traces from the Neolithic, Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, Menteşe, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.

Iasos Ancient City (Culture Portal)

History and Foundation

Iasos was founded in the 9th century BCE by the Argolians and later expanded through the settlement of colonists from Miletus. In antiquity, it gained importance as the gateway from Caria to Europe. The city’s economy was based on fishing, agriculture, and trade.

Architecture and Structures

The city features extensive fortification walls, aqueducts, an agora, a theater, chamber tombs, and structures once thought to be a “fish market.” Significant sacred buildings are located both inside and outside the city walls, with the agora, theater, and bouleuterion being particularly notable.

• Bouleuterion: The council house, located in the southwest corner of the agora, was originally constructed in the 4th century BCE. Its seating arrangement follows a three-quarter circular plan and is paved with multicolored marble. The current layout dates to the 1st century CE.
• Akropolis and Fortress: On the akropolis stands a medieval fortress. Within its walls are a Byzantine cistern and a small temple. The walls were built using spolia. The main northern entrance is protected by two square-plan towers.
• Theater: The theater, built according to Hellenistic traditions, underwent repairs during the Roman period. Inscriptions on the theater walls record the names of actors, musicians, and patrons.
• Fish Market (Roman Monumental Tomb): A structure initially believed to be a fish market was later identified through excavations as a monumental tomb from the 2nd century CE. At the center of a rectangular area, the tomb is arranged in the form of a temple and surrounded by arcaded porticoes.
• Clock Tower (Bakdakhîn Monumental Tomb): Located about 1 kilometer from the city, within the cemetery area on the eastern coast, this Roman-era monumental tomb consists of two stacked chambers and is covered by a small dome. It is dated to the 2nd century CE.
• Mendirek Tower: Built during the Middle Byzantine period to guard the small eastern harbor, the tower was reinforced with sturdy retaining walls to the north and west and features arrow slits suitable for weapon use.

Iasos Ancient City (Culture Portal)

Archaeological Excavations and Research

Systematic excavations at Iasos have been conducted since the 1960s by teams from Italy. Today, excavations continue under the auspices of Selçuk University, led by Professor Dr. Asuman Baldıran. During these excavations, a 105-hectare area has been aerially surveyed using unmanned aerial vehicles and digitally mapped. Data are processed using geographic information systems. These efforts have enabled the documentation of the ancient city’s topography, architectural monuments, and the region’s physical formation.

Iasos Ancient City (Anadolu Agency)

Marble Quarries and Economy

Five ancient marble quarries have been identified in the area. Red, pink, and white-veined marble extracted from these quarries were cut using hydraulic systems, especially during the Imperial period. Iasos marble was used in significant structures such as Hagia Sophia, Dante’s tomb, and various administrative buildings. The marble was exported by sea to numerous regions including Italy, Africa, Israel, and Istanbul.

Cultural and Religious Life

The principal deities of Iasos were Apollo and Artemis, and festivals were held in honor of Dionysus. The city was renowned as a center of music and theater. Sacred sites such as the Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Zeus Megistos were among the most important religious structures in the city.

Current Status

Iasos Ancient City is open to the public as an open-air museum. Ongoing archaeological investigations and technological documentation projects support the site’s promotion and restoration. Visitor reception centers and walking routes are being planned with the aim of enhancing regional tourism and economic development.