Erythrai Ancient City

Ancient City of Erythrai, İzmir are located within the boundaries of Ildırı Village in the Çeşme district, situated along the western coast of Anatolia as an Ionian settlement^【1】. The ancient city developed on a peninsula with direct maritime access, on the western part of the Urla Peninsula. Architectural remains of the settlement largely overlap with the modern village of Ildırı. The city is approximately 20 km from the Çeşme district center^【2】.

Erythrai Ancient City (Culture Portal)

Geographical Features

The settlement area is bordered by sloping terrain rising to the north and east, while to the south and west it opens directly to the sea. Natural bays and indentations along the coastline provided favorable conditions for maritime access and harbor use in antiquity. The harbor area was built on a natural bay approximately 150–200 meters wide.

The settlement is surrounded by hilltop areas reaching 60–80 meters in elevation to the northeast, while its southwestern coastline is directly connected to the sea.

Historical Continuity

Archaeological evidence indicates that occupation at Erythrai extends back to the Early Bronze Age^【3】. During the Archaic period, the city was established as an Ionian settlement, and construction activity intensified during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Public spaces remained in use during the Roman period, while in the Byzantine Period period settlement was confined to a more restricted area.

Urban Fabric and Architecture

The city’s layout was based on a terracing system adapted to the natural topography. The theater was constructed leaning against the slope, with seating carved directly into the bedrock. It had a capacity of approximately 800–1000 spectators. Construction of the theater is dated to the 3rd century BCE^【4】.

The Temple of Athena on the acropolis was first built in the second half of the 8th century BCE and later expanded with additions in subsequent centuries^【5】. The Kore statue found near the temple is dated to the 6th century BCE^【6】. The acropolis area covers a total of 1.2 hectares.

Defensive Systems

The city was enclosed by walls approximately 5 km in length^【7】. Some sections of the walls reach heights of up to 5 meters^【8】. The earliest phases of the wall construction date to the 4th century BCE, while the main sections were built during the 3rd–2nd centuries BCE^【9】.

Quarries and Building Materials

Several stone quarries have been identified around the city^【10】. The stone extracted from these quarries was used primarily in the construction of the city walls as well as in public and private buildings. The stone blocks show regular cutting marks, and their dimensions indicate standardization for architectural use^【11】. The quarries operated as part of an integrated production and utilization system directly linked to the city.

Religious Structures and Cult Practices

It is noted that sacred areas played a significant role in urban life at Erythrai. The city is associated with the cult of Apollo, and both written and archaeological evidence points to the presence of female priestesses^【12】. This highlights a distinctive feature of Erythrai’s religious practices.

Erythrai Ancient City (Culture Portal)

Site Area and the Kybele Sacred Area

The sacred area dedicated to the mother goddess Kybele, uncovered during the second-generation excavations by Ankara University at Erythrai Ancient City, has been officially registered and protected as a first-degree archaeological site^【13】. As a result, the boundaries of the site were expanded and specific conservation conditions and usage restrictions were established.

Following its registration, the site boundaries were extended and conservation conditions and usage limitations were defined.

The Kybele sacred area covers approximately 0.8 hectares and contains stone-based platforms, ritual spaces, and small structures. Excavations have revealed that the main architectural elements of the area remain preserved, with large portions of stone pavements and foundations still standing. Additionally, small archaeological finds indicating ritual and ceremonial use have been identified^【14】.

Following its registration, protection and monitoring mechanisms were implemented in publicly accessible areas, and restrictions were imposed on construction and land use in the surrounding zone^【15】. The Kybele sacred area is regarded as the center of religious life at Erythrai and is considered part of a ritual network connecting it to other sacred areas and temples within the ancient city. This underscores its importance in revealing the role of female priestesses and the cult of the mother goddess within Ionian religious practices at Erythrai^【16】.

Economic Structure

Erythrai’s economic activities are understood to have included maritime trade and stone production. Through its harbor connections, the city maintained links with the Aegean world, while local stone production was intensively utilized in urban construction.

Archaeological Research

Excavations and surface surveys at the site have provided detailed documentation of defensive structures, quarries, and the urban fabric. In particular, studies of the quarries have revealed insights into Erythrai’s architectural production capacity and building technology^【17】.

Erythrai Today

Architectural remains of the ancient city are visible today in open areas. The site is designated as an archaeological protected area, and research activities continue.