Use the links above to see more photos.

Driving along back roads through the farmlands of Western Anatolia in search of beautiful, ancient cities you ask yourself: "Why in the name of Zeus would anyone want to set up shop here?"

But when you get to the sites the answer is usually obvious. Most often they are strategically placed - easy to fend off Persians, or Ostrogoths, or Gauls, or any number of invading hordes. They are always located near arable land and often near a water source - cold springs are fine, but thermal are divine.

Here is the triumphal arch for arriving pilgrims at the Temple of Aphrodite.