Antique city LAODICIA built 2200 years ago in Denizli region comes to light after 1600 years
The restoration of the Western Theatre, which was built 2200 years ago in Laodicia, one of the largest and most important ancient cities in Anatolia, will be completed by the end of the year. The ancient building, which will stand up with the support of Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, will host cultural and art events again after 1600 years.
The ancient city of Laodikya which the Denizli Metropolitan Municipality agreed with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2008, to undertake all the work to support the excavations is continuing to emerge.
In this context, the restoration work carried out for the Western Theatre built 2200 years ago in the ancient city, which contains one of the first seven churches in the history as mentioned in Bible (Seven Churches of the Apocalypse), has neared the end.
Noting that the city contains 19 ancient cities and many beauties and that the excavations in Laodicia will be an example for Turkey in general, experts say “with the support of Denizli municipality and the work of the University, excavations have been carried out here for 12 months without interruption. A beautiful and exemplary work was exhibited in Laodicia. As a result of this, many beauties have emerged.”
Pointing out that one of the 2 theatres in the ancient city should be stood up, experts say “Within the framework of the protocol we have made with our Metropolitan Municipality and the South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), the 15.000-seat Western Theater will hopefully stand up by the end of this year. The 2200-year-old ancient theatre right next to Denizli, will now host cultural and art events.”
Denizli Metropolitan Municipality will continue to convey the values of the past to the future and it is reported that there are many spots in Laodikya that need to be brought to the surface. LAODICIA, which has been placed on the provisional list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, will hopefully come to the fore and enter the noble list thanks to continuing efforts.
The officials want to organize an event at the Western Theatre as soon as possible. The historic open-air theatre which seats 15 thousand will be ready to host every event.
