Kibyra Ancient City

Yet another AMAZING historical site to visit in Turkey. In addition to an incredible stadium, Kibrya's specialty is its mosaics. This culminates in the moment when you lock eyes with Medusa... hopefully you won't turn to stone!

A hidden jewel of an ancient Lycian city (founded in 330 BC) near Gölhisar, Burdur, Turkey... Kibrya, the city of strong warriors and fast horses was once a very important Lycian city of its time. With the beautiful floor mosaics including one of a very large Medusa in the center of the Odeon of the Parliament Building (also used as a Music Hall and Courthouse), a 200m long, 12000 capacity Stadium which is still intact, a beautiful Theater and an Agora; Kibrya certainly deserves a visit...

A big ancient city established on three hills. In ancient time it was an important city in regional politics and I heart its population was reached to 60 thousand in its golden age. Odeion (also served as city council) of the city is magnificient that must be seen where Medusa head was still under stage ground for protection. There are ongoing archological digging going here and more to be seen and presented in coming years I hope.

Little gem, just of the Denizli to Fethiye road

Look Medusa in the eye before she turns you into the stone! Underrated, recently developing site. The mosaics in bouleterion are amazing! Get on the top of the theatre and watch the view.

Kibyra Ancient City The ancient city of Kibyra, located in the Gölhisar district of Burdur, is also known as the "city of gladiators". One of the most important cities of Lydian and Roman civilizations, the 2300-year-old Kibyra Ancient City, dominating the western slope of the Gölhisar plain, was established at an altitude of 1100-1300 meters, covered with juniper and cedar forests. The ancient city is located on three hills with a view of the lake and plain. According to the records of the Amasian traveler Strabo, the people of Kibyra were originally Lydians and migrated from here to the Kabalis region and soon changed their settlements and established a city with a circumference of 100 stades. Looking at the archaeological excavations and archaeological resources started in 2006, the city stands out with its militaristic character with more than 30 thousand infantry and over 2,000 cavalry units and the longest gladiator friezes of antiquity in Turkey. Due to the strategic location of the city, it is known that 25 cities in the region also undertake the mission of judicial center. At the same time, the city was so famous in the field of horse breeding in ancient times that it began to be called the 'city of fast-running horses'. It is understood as a result of the mists obtained from the excavations that ironwork in Kibyra went beyond being a profession and reached an artistic dimension. However, it is possible to say that the city had its strongest time in the Roman period, and all the architectural remains that can be seen today belong to the Roman Period. M.S. As a result of a great earthquake that occurred in 23, the city was destroyed. After the Roman Emperor Tiberius of the period brought tax amnesty and financial aid for 5 years, the city was able to be rebuilt and the people of Kibyran showed their gratitude to the emperor by changing the name of their city to "Caesarea Kibyra = Emperor's Kibyra". Built with the Roman and Byzantine architectural tradition and one of the rare ancient stadiums of this size and strength in Anatolia, a 10 thousand-seat stadium, a 4-function odeion (music house) with an orchestra section covered with a Medusa mosaic that is unique in the world, Late Roman bath, It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list in 2016 with its agoras, main street, huge theater with a capacity of 9 thousand people, winter theater and underground chamber tombs.

Spread over a large area on three hilltops kibyra was impressive with many of the amenities a city can offer including an underground sewage and fresh water network, handsome looking main street traversing from the bottom of the hill to the top, a stadium to cheer for the events, tombs above and below ground and the music hall with a beautiful mosaic for the crowds to be inspired for millennia. Agora at the top is adorned by a beautiful rotund water fountain. Inspirational city design, exquisite workmanship, arts and sports complement the daily living. What else do you need?

Had an awesome ride up in the mountains where some beautiful ruins were waiting for me ? This place had it all!!! Amphitheater ✔️ Senate House ✔️ Hypnodrome ✔️ Ancient Roman bath house ✔️ Mosaic marble floor with Medusa's head in it..... Not checked ? This marble floor used to be in the music hall that was also used as a house for the Senate in the winter months.... Today there is a gravel floor where this mosaic masterpiece used to lie......... Unbeknownst to me this floor was covered up through the winter months to protect against the weather ??? I was really let down because I had heard some really great stories about how beautiful this floor was and how unique it made this particular set of ruins compared to really any other locations here in Turkey... This is the Medusa's head that got away ?