The signature of a Roman architect
Aspendos Ancient Theatre was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, between AD 161 and 180, by architect Zenon. Located within Belkıs neighborhood in Antalya's Serik district, the structure had a capacity of 15,000-20,000, making it one of the era's great venues for spectacle.
Why it has survived so well
What sets the theatre apart from its counterparts is that it has largely retained its structural integrity. The stage building and seating rows have come down to us intact, making Aspendos one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world.
Other structures within the same complex
Near the theatre stands the Aspendos Aqueduct, built in the 2nd century AD and added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2015. The Aspendos Basilica, on the eastern edge of the agora, is another historic structure within the same site, within walking distance.
Still an event venue today
One of Aspendos's most striking qualities is that it continues to partly serve its original purpose: the theatre is still used for various events today. That makes it not just an archaeological site but one of the rare examples of a structure thousands of years old still fulfilling its function.