Aspendos...

On returning to the E24 continue in the direction of Alanya. After c 13 km a left-hand turn leads to the market town of Serik. This as supermarkets banks a-post office, chemist shop and a number of small restaurants, where simple meals may be obtained. A signpost to the left, 4 km of Serik marks the road to the site (5km) of the ancient city of ASPENDUS, which is near the modern village of Belkis.

Not far from the road junction there is a fine 13C Selçuk bridge over the Köprüçay the ancient Eurymedon. This structure which is still used, replaced a 2C Roman bridge, whose ruins may be seen in the river-bed a few meters to the N. In ancient times the Eurymedon was navigable as far as Aspendus. At the approach to the site, on the right, are the substantial remains of a roman baths complex, which dates from the 3C AD. This rectangular structure had die usual arrangement of apodyterium, tepidarium, caldarium and frigidarium The foundations and upper walls were made of shaped blocks of the local pudding stone, while the vaults were of brick. Note the terracotta pipes running through the dividing walls. Approximately 50 m SE of the baths are the ruins of the gymnasium, which was also constructed in the 3 C AD. The main entrance on the S led to the palaestra.

Behind this was a long, narrow rectangular hall used for ceremonial purposes. On the E wall there were statues of the emperor and loc able dignitaries. The other rooms were probably used for bathing and for instruction purposes, but, as the building has not been excavated, it is not possible to state this with certainty.

   

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