Aizanoi (Aezani) – Çavdarhisar, Kütahya

Aizanoi (Aezani) – Çavdarhisar, Kütahya

In the rolling hills of Kütahya province lies Aizanoi, an ancient city whose magnificent ruins evoke its former glory as a major political and economic hub in Roman Anatolia. Submitted for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Aizanoi is particularly famed for its spectacularly well-preserved Temple of Zeus, a unique combined theatre-stadium complex, and one of the world's first commodity exchanges.

History: From Phrygian Roots to Roman Splendor

While the area has been settled since the Bronze Age, Aizanoi began to flourish under the Roman Empire. Having been bequeathed to Rome in 133 BCE, the city reached its golden age between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE. It grew wealthy from agriculture and the production of fine wool, minting its own coins as a sign of its prosperity. Its decline began after the 7th century, but its monumental structures survived, partially due to the Seljuk-era Çavdar Tatars who used the temple area as a citadel.

A City of Architectural Masterpieces

The ongoing excavations at Aizanoi continue to reveal a city of immense wealth and architectural innovation.

  • The Temple of Zeus: The city's main sanctuary is one of the best-preserved temples dedicated to Zeus in the entire world. Built on a high podium, the temple is architecturally unique, featuring a vaulted chamber beneath the main floor. This subterranean space is believed to have been a sanctuary dedicated to the Anatolian mother goddess, Cybele, indicating a fascinating blend of Roman and local Phrygian worship.
  • The Theatre-Stadium Complex: Aizanoi is home to a one-of-a-kind structure in the ancient world: a theatre and a stadium built adjacent to one another and sharing a single, central stage building. With a combined capacity for over 33,000 spectators, this massive entertainment complex hosted everything from dramatic performances to athletic games and gladiatorial contests.
  • The Macellum and Diocletian's Edict: A well-preserved circular marketplace, or macellum, from the mid-2nd century CE is considered one of the world's earliest stock exchanges. Its walls are inscribed with a copy of the Price Edict of Diocletian from 301 CE. This remarkable inscription, which set fixed prices for goods and services across the empire to combat inflation, provides an invaluable snapshot of the Roman economy.
  • Roman Bridges and Colonnaded Street: Five ancient Roman bridges cross the Penkalas River (Kocaçay), two of which are still in use today. Recent excavations have also uncovered a beautiful colonnaded street and a stoa (covered walkway), painting a vivid picture of the city's bustling urban landscape.

Aizanoi's stunningly preserved monuments offer a unique window into the civic life, economy, and religious practices of a wealthy Roman city. Its combination of grand temples, unique entertainment venues, and priceless economic inscriptions make it one of the most important archaeological sites in Anatolia.

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Location Information

Latitude:39.201228
Longitude:29.610305
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