About Kibyra
Overlooking the Gölhisar Plain, Kibyra was a regional Roman administrative centre with a substantial stadium, theatre and an odeon featuring a Medusa pavement. Monumental local-stone buildings reflect the wealth of Kibyratis, known for horse breeding and ironworking.
History
Early Kibyra moved from a nearby location to its present high terrace. It led a Hellenistic tetrapolis of neighbouring cities before joining the Roman system in the first century BCE. As a judicial centre of Asia, it was rebuilt with Tiberius's support after the earthquake of 23 CE. The stadium, theatre, agora and odeon reflect this prosperous era. Later a bishopric, Kibyra was gradually abandoned as earthquakes and changing routes affected the region.
Highlights and principal structures
- Odeon with Medusa opus sectile pavement
- Stadium
- Theatre
- Upper and lower agoras
- Roman bath
- Monumental gates
Historical period
Hellenistic–Roman–Byzantine