Photographs of Priene

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Priene is 15 km from Söke and not too far from Izmir. It is another ruined city near the Meander river. The city was built during the Hellenistic period, and underwent modifications during the Roman period.
It is located on a low plateau at the foot of a great cliff of rock. Even with the cypress trees growing in the ruins, the grid plan of the ancient city is still displayed in all its magnificence. Temples and other buildings were constructed on terraces in front of the cliff. The Acropolis once stood on the top of the cliff. Now there are only ruins, but I'm told that the view is spectacular and well worth the climb. I'm sure that the peak made a very good look out point in troubled times.
In the 4th century B.C. Alexander the Great dedicated a temple to Athena here but only five fluted Ionian columns remain standing.