Excavations to begin at ancient Metropolis

İZMİR

Serdar Aybek provides information about the new season’s sexcavations at Metropolis.

New excavations will begin soon in the ancient city of Metropolis, located within the borders of İzmir’s Torbalı district. Excavations have been jointly carried out in the ancient city for 21 years by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and Trakya University and with support of the Sabancı Foundation, the Metropolis Lovers’ Association (MESEDER) and Torbalı Municipality.

The head of the archaeology department at Trakya University, Serdar Aybek, said they would continue the excavations of palaestra mosaics and the bath area this year. “This season we will work on the environmental rearrangement and visitor welcome center.” He said they would make a path for visitors to tour the city more easily, and also planned to reveal all of the palaestra and bath structures this year. The ancient city will be a significant tourism destination.”

Metropolis has been under excavation since 1989. The Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods are represented in the ancient city.