"O Appian way, which Caesar consecrates under the form of Hercules, and renders the most celebrated of Italian roads..." Martial, Spectacula 9.101 Via Appia Antica, ancient Rome's "Queen of Roads", was once one of the world's most important roads. It was originally built in 312 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus, the then-censor of Rome, who began… Continue reading Wandering along the Appian Way – images from milestone I to VI
Category: Photography
Picture of the day: Cat among the ruins of the Prytaneion at Ephesus (Turkey)
Ephesus is teeming with cats. I happen to love cats and this is my best cat shot from Ephesus. The reason I chose this photo today is that I just caught Cat Scratch Disease, an infection following the scratch of a cat, not from Ephesus, but from the ancient city of Olympos in Lycia. I never knew such… Continue reading Picture of the day: Cat among the ruins of the Prytaneion at Ephesus (Turkey)
Picture of the day: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland (UK)
An absolutely beautiful spot! This iconic tree was made famous by the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). It is one of the best Hadrian's Wall views and a much photographed point. The walk from Steel Rigg to Housesteads is my favourite part of the Wall and offers the best views Northumberland has to offer. The scenery and panoramic views are just… Continue reading Picture of the day: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland (UK)
Picture of the day: The Temple of Apollo at Claros, Ionia
The Temple of Apollo at Claros (also called Klaros) was a very important center of prophecy as in Delphi and Didyma. The temple, which probably replaced an earlier one, is dated to the third century BC and is the only temple built in Doric style in Ionia. It was built upon a stepped platform measuring 26… Continue reading Picture of the day: The Temple of Apollo at Claros, Ionia
Exploring Seleukeia (Lyrbe) – images from a forgotten city in Pamphylia
The ancient city of Seleukeia (or Lyrbe) is located 15 km north of Manavgat and was only rediscovered by archaeologists in the early 1970s. The city is known to have been founded as a fortified acropolis, serving as a final defence and protection in the event of an attack on Side. Upon the pirates' capture… Continue reading Exploring Seleukeia (Lyrbe) – images from a forgotten city in Pamphylia
Exploring Aspendos – images from a wealthy city of Pamphylia
The second place I visited during my recent trip to Turkey was Aspendos (see itinerary map here). Aspendos is one of the most popular historic sites in the Antalya region. It is located beside the river Eurymedon (Köprüçay) and is renowned throughout the world for its magnificent ancient theatre. During ancient times, the central region of Antalya was known as Pamphylia and Aspendos… Continue reading Exploring Aspendos – images from a wealthy city of Pamphylia
Exploring Sagalassos – images from the city in the clouds (part 2 – Lower Agora)
As mentioned in part 1, Sagalassos made the headlines in the international press in 2007 and 2008 due to the unexpected discovery of three extraordinary statues of the emperors Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and empress Faustina the Elder, Antoninus Pius' wife. The statues were originally located in the frigidarium, the coldest and largest room in the Roman… Continue reading Exploring Sagalassos – images from the city in the clouds (part 2 – Lower Agora)
Exploring Sagalassos – images from the city in the clouds (part 1 – Upper Agora)
The first visit of my recent trip to Turkey was the archaeological site of Sagalassos in Pisidia. We had the place almost to ourselves, a real treat. Few people seem to have heard of Sagalassos, and the site is a bit off the beaten track. Sagalassos made the international press headlines in 2007 and 2008… Continue reading Exploring Sagalassos – images from the city in the clouds (part 1 – Upper Agora)