The ancient city of Metropolis, located in the district of Torbalı in İzmir Province, Türkiye, lies between the villages of Yeniköy and Özbey. It is a significant archaeological site that was continuously inhabited from prehistoric times to the Byzantine period. The city derives its name from “Meter Gallesia,” meaning “Mother Goddess,” and was established on the slopes of Mount Gallesion. Traces of settlement date back to the Neolithic Period, and Metropolis became an important cultural, religious, and political center, especially during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Archaeological excavations began in 1989, and in 2014, the site was officially designated as an open-air museum and opened to visitors.

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History

Metropolis was founded in the 3rd century BCE during the Seleucid Kingdom by followers of Lysimachus. The city was named in honor of its protective deity, the Mother Goddess Gallesia. A statue of this goddess, from whom the city takes its name, was discovered during excavations at the Uyuzdere area. Settlement in the region of Metropolis dates back to the Neolithic Period, as evidenced by nearby sites such as Tepeköy, Dedecik, and Kuşçuburun.

The city was first identified in the 17th century by European travelers J. Spon and G. Wheler, and later in the 19th century through epigraphic and topographic studies by İzmir-based researcher A. Fontier. Metropolis flourished during the Hellenistic Period and expanded from the hills into the plains in the Roman era. It became a bishopric center in the Byzantine period and eventually came under the rule of the Aydınoğulları Beylik in the 14th century. After this era, Metropolis was abandoned, and the settlement shifted to modern-day Torbalı.

Urban Structures

The ancient city of Metropolis stands out with its rich urban fabric, featuring public, religious, and private buildings from different periods. These structures provide valuable insights into the city’s social, political, and cultural life during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Notable examples of monumental architecture include a theater, bouleuterion (council house), stoa (colonnaded walkway), gymnasium, baths, and a peristyle house, all reflecting both functionality and aesthetic refinement.

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The Theater

Built into a natural slope, the theater of Metropolis was originally constructed during the Hellenistic Period and later expanded in the Roman era, when its stage building was enlarged and the floor was paved with marble. With a seating capacity of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people, the theater includes key components such as the orchestra, stage building, seating tiers, and elite seats reserved for dignitaries. Behind these special seats, there are reliefs depicting Zeus's thunderbolt and Ares with a shield, reflecting the influence of mythology and state symbolism. The theater exemplifies the elegance of Hellenistic marble craftsmanship and gradually fell out of use after the 4th century CE.

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Peristyle House

Discovered on the southern slope of the theater, the peristyle house belonged to a wealthy resident of Metropolis during the Roman period. This residence features multiple rooms arranged around a spacious courtyard paved with marble slabs. The house stands out for its colorful wall plasters and rich array of archaeological finds, reflecting both the affluence and aesthetic taste of its owner.

Acropolis

The acropolis of Metropolis covers an area of approximately 16,000 m² and commands a dominant view over the Torbalı Plain. Evidence indicates that the site was inhabited as early as 3000 BCE. During the Hellenistic period, the Acropolis was fortified with strong defensive walls.

Bouleuterion (Council Building)

The Bouleuterion of Metropolis, constructed in the 2nd century BCE, had a seating capacity of 350 people and served as a key administrative building where decisions about city governance were made by the council.

Stoa

Dating to the 2nd century BCE, the Doric-style stoa was supported by two rows of columns. In addition to religious ceremonies, it hosted philosophical gatherings and commercial activities. Inscriptions on the stoa’s columns bear the names of its benefactors, making it an early example of sponsorship in public architecture.

Excavations

Excavations at Metropolis began in 1989 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Recep Meriç, in collaboration with the Ephesus Museum, starting with the Uyuzdere Mother Goddess Cult Cave. Since 2006, excavations have been led by Prof. Dr. Serdar Aybek. These efforts have revealed numerous structures and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. In 2014, the site was officially designated as an archaeological park and opened to visitors.