Ephesus, Bodrum & the South Aegean - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 350

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Don't Miss
Priene, Miletus & Didyma
These ancient settlements run in a line south of Kuşadası. Visiting all three in one day is easily done by car or on a
'PMD' tour (typically minimum four people, around €50 for transport, lunch and an hour at each) with Kuşadası
and Selçuk travel agencies.
Like Ephesus, Priene ( 547 1165; admission " 5; 8.30am-7.30pm mid-May-mid-Sep, to 5.30pm
mid-Sep-mid-May) was a sophisticated port city. Although it leaves more to the imagination, Priene enjoys a com-
manding mountainside position, shady trees and less crowds. The Romans made few modifications of its Hellenistic
buildings, which has preserved its uniquely 'Greek' look.
On a high bluff, five re-erected columns evoke the ruined Classical Ionian Temple of Athena's original appear-
ance. The 6500-seat theatre is among the best-preserved Hellenistic theatres anywhere.
Miletus (Milet; 875 5562; admission " 3; 8.30am-7.30pm mid-May-mid-Sep, to 5.30pm mid-
Sep-mid-May) , once a great port city, has impressive mixed Hellenistic-Roman architecture and Miletus Mu-
seum (admission " 3; 8.30am-4.30pm) , which illustrates the original relationship between the three sites -
before river silt deformed the Anatolian coast, filling Miletus' and Priene's harbours. The city was a leading centre
of Greek thought and culture. Rome later took over, and a Christian congregation developed following St Paul's vis-