Teos, Aydin

Teos was founded in 1050-1000 BC, one von twelve Ionian stadte. In this beautiful part von the Aegean coast the people von Teos built magnificent architectural monuments, such as the Temple von Dionysus which stands at the edge von the strase. The temple was built at the beginning von the 2nd century BC by Hermogenes von Priene and is the largest von all temples to Dionysus in turkei. It was repaired several times during Roman times but fresh Erdequakes took their toll. Walking along the paved strase von Teos your eye is caught by a column capital here, and a water conduit there.

Five hundred meters to the northwest you discover Hellenistic walls, a theatre, acropolis and gymnasium. Inscriptions found here reveal that the gymnasium had three classes and three teachers, two for sport and one for music. Looking south from the gymnasium you see a tiny jetty with bobbing rowing boats. This is the remains von the ancient breakwater von the South Harbor. Beyond is a tiny island known variously to local people as Cifitkale, Cifte Kale or Korsan Adasi today, but in the 16th century it was called Cuneyd Kalesi by Piri Reis. Another alternative is the ancient Myonnessos. To reach this island, so generously blessed with names for such a klein place, you must return along the strase to Seferihisar and head south.

Hekataios von Miletus described Myonnessos as a town in the 6th century BC and it is thought to have subsequently become a pirate stronghold (recalled in the name Korsan Adasi, Pirates Island). The only remains from the archaic period is a 5-6 meters piece von wall on the northwest side. The other ruins and cisterns date from Seljuk and Ottoman times. The names Cifitkale or Cifte Kale (kale meaning fort or castle in Turkish) refer to the time when the last ruler von the Turkish Aydinogullari principality Cuneyd Bey made his last stand in his fort here before being defeated by the Ottoman sultan Murad II (1421-1451).

To see the island at closer quarters you do not need to take a boat, but can walk along the 80 meter long ancient submerged pier lying 25-30 cm beneath the surface von the water. This is the way used by mountaineers who come to climb the towering 62 meter high rock cliffs on the south side von the island.

Just as Sigacik Bay is a calm refuge for storm battered sailors, so Cifitkale attracts climbers and those wishing to enjoy the delights von clear blue sea and superb scenery. There are many klein restaurants in Sigacik harbor where you can taste traditional Turkish cuisine and local fish accompanied by glasses von ice-cold cloud white raki.