| Nysa (Sultanhisar) |
|
|
The
city of Nysa is situated in a very romantic setting. The city was
divided by a torrential stream running through a gorge, but partly
built upon impressive vaulted substructures that bridged the
gorge. This included an ampitheatre and an underground passage for the
waters. There was a gymnasium below this spanning the gorge. Nysa
was probably founded by Antiochos I , Soter, in the first half of the
3rd century B.C..
Much of the site lies undisturbed, lying within olive orchards, and is
difficult to appreciate what this splendid city must have looked like.
It is likely that you will be almost alone if you visit! |
|
|
 |
|
The
stadium was 44m wide and 192m long. It was built across the gorge and
this has subsequently collapsed into the gorge. The engineering that
this invloved must have been hugely impressive. All that can now be
seen are the remains are some of the seating at the northern end
of the structure. The first span of one of the Roman bridges that
crossed the gorge is also still evident. This can be seen (left) and
the stadium remains lie amongst the trees. |
|
|
|
| Ampitheatre |
|
|
| This
well preserved and conspicuos structure is of Roman Imperial origins.
It is being restored. The orchestra is 27m wide. Below the
portable scene of the theatre there was a large basin that could be
filled with water and used in spectacles representing sea fights. In
front of the theatre was a large square of ceremonial character
supported by imposing substructures. The modern road over this then
runs across the Roman bridge under which lies a tunnel. This is 150m
long, supported by barrel vaulting, and channels the water from the
gorge. |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Library |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| This
is Roman in date. It lies about 150m to the north of the gymnasium
that is barely evident amongst the olive trees. It is a two
storeyed structure and is the next best preserved library in Turkey
after the Celsus library in Ephesus. The central reading hall had
niches along its walls where manuscripts in the form of scrolls or
volumes were kept, most likely in cupboards. It had similar columnar
structures to Celsus library at the front . |
|
|
Agora |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
This
market place was suurrounded on all sides by colonnades. These were
double on the east and south and were of Ionic order. The west and
north were single colonnades of the Doric order.. The area was
extensively altered and enlarged in Roman times. |
|
|
|
| Bouleuterion |
|
|
 |
|
This is very well preserved and similar in structure to those at
Aphrodisias and Ephesus. It dates from 2nd century A.D..Much of the
masonry has been taken from earier structures. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
