One of the best preserved Ancient Greek stadiums in central Anatolia, now Turkey - before and after restoration

 

The ancient city of Magnesia, which is located in the Germencik district of Turkey's western Aydın province, was known as the “city of races” and attracted many visitors due to the plethora of sporting events organized here in antiquity. The ancient city still finds a place for itself on the travel bucket list of many, drawing in visitors with its magnificent stadium where athletic games, gladiatorial fights and chariot races were held in the past.

It is believed that the ancient city of Magnesia was founded by the ancient Greek tribe of Magnetes from Thessaly. Even if the city was named after the Magnetes, it was called Magnesia on the Meander (The Büyük Menderes River) in the later period so that it could be distinguished from the nearby Lydian city Magnesia ad Sipylum (modern day Manisa). Magnesia was located in Ionia, the ancient region on the central part of the western coast of Anatolia. Rumor has it that Magnetes are of Aeolian origin, which prevented their acceptance into the Ionian League.