Agora of Smyrna

Square of ancient İzmir

38°25′08″N 27°08′16″E / 38.41889°N 27.13778°E / 38.41889; 27.13778HistoryMaterialMarble Founded4th century BC Site notesExcavation dates1933–presentPublic accessYes

The Agora of Smyrna, alternatively known as the Agora of İzmir (Turkish: İzmir Agorası), is an ancient Roman agora located in Smyrna (present-day İzmir, Turkey). Originally built by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, the agora was ruined by an earthquake in 178 AD.^[1] Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered its reconstruction.^[2] Excavations started in 1933.^[1] In 2020, the Agora of Smyrna became a Tentative World Heritage Site as part of "The Historical Port City of Izmir."^[3]

Buildings and structures of the agora

Faustina Gate
Ancient Street^[4]
North Stoa (Basilica)^[5]
West Stoa
Graffiti
Corinthian colonnade
Ottoman-era Muslim graveyard^[6]
House of Sabbatai Zevi^[7]

Recent Discoveries and Features

Recent excavations at the Agora of Smyrna have revealed several noteworthy features:

A functional 2,000-year-old water trench, highlighting the advanced engineering of the period.
Graffiti on the basilica wall, believed to be the world's first crossword.
Evidence suggesting coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and Jews, as indicated by candles featuring the Star of David.
Ongoing excavations are currently focused on Ottoman-era graveyards.

[Source: [Daily Sabah](https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2016/10/31/smyrna-agora-a-historical-and-architectural-treasure)]

References

^ ^a ^b İzmir - Agora
^ İzmir'in kent merkezindeki 1800 yıllık 'Tarihi Agora'
^ "The Historical Port City of Izmir". UNESCO. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
^ "Main street revealed in agora of Smyrna". Hürriyet Daily News. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
^ Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna
^ Smyrna Agora a historical and architectural treasure
^ Cortijo de Sevi: Kültür Mirası Sabatay Sevi'nin Evi'nin Geçmişi, Bugünü ve Geleceği

External links

Media related to Agora of İzmir at Wikimedia Commons

İzmir

Known as Smyrna in English until about 1930

Settlements

Central districts (İlçe)	Balçova Bayraklı Bornova Buca Çiğli Gaziemir Güzelbahçe Karabağlar Karşıyaka Konak Narlıdere
Neighborhoods	Alsancak İnciraltı Karataş Kemeraltı

History

Universities

Museums and
monuments

Agora of Smyrna
Atatürk Mask
Atatürk Monument
Atatürk, His Mother and Women's Rights Monument
Avrasya Anı Evi
Bostanlı Open-air Archaeological Museum
Natural History Museum of Ege University
İnciraltı Sea Museum
İzmir Archaeological Museum
İzmir Art and Sculpture Museum
İzmir Ethnography Museum
İzmir Toy Museum
Women's Museum
Yıldıztepe Military Cemetery

Religious
buildings

Mosques	Başdurak Mosque Hisar Mosque Kestanepazarı Mosque Salepçioğlu Mosque Yalı Mosque
Churches	St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church St. John's Cathedral St. Mary's Church (Bornova) St. Mary's Church (Konak) Saint Polycarp Church St. Stepanos Church (destroyed) Saint Voukolos Church
Synagogues	Bet Israel Synagogue Signora Giveret Synagogue

Transportation

Buildings and structures

Squares

Cumhuriyet
Gündoğdu
Konak
Lozan

Category:İzmir

v t e UNESCO Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey
Aegean Region	Aizanoi Antique City The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe Ancient City of Stratonikeia Archaeological Site of Assos Archaeological site of Laodikeia Archaeological Site of Priene Ayvalık Industrial Landscape The Bodrum Castle Historic Town of Birgi The Historical Port City of Izmir Mausoleum and Sacred area of Hecatomnus Medieval City of Beçin
Black Sea Region	Early Period of Anatolian Turkish Heritage: Niksar, The Capital of Danishmend Dynasty Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu Kızılırmak Delta Wetland and Bird Sanctuary Mahmut Bey Mosque Mount Harşena and the Rock-tombs of the Pontic Kings Nature Park of Ballıca Cave Sümela Monastery (The Monastery of Virgin Mary)
Central Anatolia Region	Archaeological Site of Kültepe-Kanesh Basilica Therma (Sarıkaya Roma Hamamı) Haci Bayram Mosque and its Surrounding Area (the Haci Bayram District) Haci Bektas Veli Complex Historic Town of Beypazarı Historical Monuments of Niğde Ivriz Cultural Landscape Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization Koramaz Valley Lake Tuz Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) Odunpazari Historical Urban Site Sivrihisar Grand Mosque Tomb of Ahi Evran
Eastern Anatolia Region	Akdamar Church Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye (Islamic-Ottoman Social Complex) Historic City of Harput Historic Town of Kemaliye Ishak Pasha Palace The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel Tushpa/Van Fortress, the Mound and the Old City of Van
Marmara Region	The Bridge of Justinian The Bridge of Uzunköprü Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Battles Zones in the First World War İznik Nuruosmaniye Complex Sultan Bayezid II Complex: A Center of Medical Treatment Yıldız Palace Complex
Mediterranean Region	Alahan Monastery Alanya Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization Ancient City of Anazarbos Ancient City of Kaunos Ancient city of Kibyra Ancient City of Korykos Archaeological Site of Perge Archaeological Site of Sagalassos Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary Eşrefoğlu Mosque Güllük Dagi National Park and Termessos Hatay, St. Pierre Church Karain Cave Karatepe-Aslantaş Archaeological Site Kekova Mamure Castle St. Nicholas Church St.Paul Church, Saint Paul's Well and surrounding historic quarters The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos Vespasianus Titus Tunnel Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop Yivli Minaret Mosque
Southeastern Anatolia Region	Archeological Site of Zeugma Harran and Şanlıurfa Ismail Fakirullah Tomb and its Light Refraction Mechanism Late Antique and Medieval Churches and Monasteries of Midyat and Surrounding Area (Tur Abdin) The Malabadi Bridge Mardin Cultural Landscape The Underground Water Structures in Gaziantep; Livas' and Kastels Zerzevan Castle and Mithraeum Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex and Mor Yakup (Saint Jacob) Church
Multiple regions	Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs Buruciye Medrese Cacabey Medrese Çifte Medrese Çifte Minareli Medrese (Erzurum) Çifte Minareli Medrese (Sivas) Gök Medrese Ince Minaret Medrese Karatay Medrese Sahabiye Medrese Yakutiye Medrese Mountainous Phrygia Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea Akçakoca Castle Amasra Castle Çandarlı Castle Çeşme Castle Foça Castle Galata Tower Güvercinada Castle Sinop Fortress Yoros Castle
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