Wonders of Aegean
Ephesus, Efes
As the capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus is still richly endowed with marble temples, mosaics and a 25,000-seat Great Theater. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, and her enormous temple was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. St. Paul spoke here, and later wrote his famous Epistle to the Ephesians. Even the Virgin Mary spent her last days here, and ascended to heaven from a neighboring hilltop. Today, the ruins are less than 40 miles south of Izmir, and a short trip from one of the best harbors in all of Turkey, Kusadasi.
Pamukkale
Water is the sole architect of the gleaming white travertine cliffs of Pamukkale, the watery "Cotton Castle" long famous for its curative 
powers. Warm calcium-laden mineral waters rise from the ground at a temperature of nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cascading over cliffs to build up fairy billows of snow-white stone. The cream-colored stalactites formed during this ancient process have created a breathtaking sight unequalled in the world. Roman ruins of the thermal baths in the ancient city of Hierapolis are another highlight of this area located just north of Denizli.
South Aegean Coastline
Today, the Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast, from Marmaris to Antakya, draws vacationers from Europe, Asia, Africa and America, just as it once drew the Phoenicians, Romans, and Seljuks. The capital of the Turquoise coast, Antalya is a bustling resort and commercial city, with a large new airport and an outstanding archeological museum. Pensions and posh inns fill the historic district of Kaleiçi, while fine restaurants ring the Roman harbor, making Antalya the perfect base for visiting sights of the region. Closer to the Aegean, is the yachting port of Bodrum, arguably Turkey's most charming coastal town. Set on twin palm-lined bays and dominated by the medieval Castle of St. Peter, Bodrum is famous for its world-class Museum of Underwater Archeology, and for the grand Tomb of King Mausolus, the original mausoleum. As a favorite resort for Turkey's artists, writers and the yachting set, the cafes are fashionable and the nightlife vibrant.
Aphrodisias
An antique city situated near the Karacasu-Aydın province, was established in the name of Goddess Aphrodite. It continued to be a great center of inbatiance from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine Preiod (2800 B.C. - 220 A.D.). During excavations, the Aphrodite Temple, Odeon, Statium and agora, and the city baths have been revaled. Aphrodisias was well known during the Early Age as a center of sculpture. The Aphrodisias 
Stadium is one of the best preserved stadiums among the antique city stadiums in Anatolia.
Lydia (Karun) Treasures
These consist of the pieces smuggled to the US Metropolitan Art Museum by smugglers who dug the Toptepe Timulus near the Gure-Uşak province in 1965, the İkiztepe Tumulus in 1966 and the Aktepe I Tumulus in 1968. These pieces of work are the best examples of the 6th century B.C. Lydian art. After a long period of legal negotiations carried out by the Ministry of Culture these were given back to Turkey in 1993. (Museum of Uşak)
Ephesus Artemis Temple
This famous temple is one of the seven wonders of the world, and is also known as Artemission. It was first built in lonian style during 560-550 B.C. by the Lydian King Kroisos. After being burnt down in 356 B.C. by a lunatic, it was rebuilt on the same foundations, but its height was extended by 3 m. This temple, which is also famous for its marble statues, is 55.10 x 115 in dimensions and was the largest of all temple, which were discorered during digs by J.T. Wood in 1869-1874, and David G. Hogart in 1904-1905 in the name of the British Museum, were taken to England.
Aspendos
This antique city established in the Early age is 48km east of Antalya. Its most important feature is its theatre. The theatre and its stage are the best preserved of the Roman theatres in anatolia which have reached our times. It can sit 15000 spectators. It was built during the reign of Emperor Antonius Pius (134 - 164) by architect Zenon.
Bodrum - Halicarnassos Mausoleum
The tomb of Persioan governor Maussolos ad Bodrum - Halicarnassos is one of the seven wonders of the world. Upon the death of Maussolos in 352 B.C., the mausoleum was built by his wife Artemisia. The architects were Pytheos and Satyrus. Famous sculptors such as Scopas, Timotheos, Bryaris and Leochares worked on each of the walls. It covers an area of 60 x 80 m. and is 46 m. in height. There exist 9 x 11 pillars.
Some of the pieces have been used in the construction of the Bodrum Castle. Some of the pieces were taken during the 19th century to the British Museum.
Sardes
Situated in Salihli - Manisa province, it is an antique city which served as capital to the Lydian State. Archaelogical digs since the 19th century have revealed important works such as the Artemis Temple, gymnasium, stadium, Roman and Byzantine baths. The picture shows a section of the gymnaisum.