Yeni in İzmir in Konak, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe
The Agora of Smyrna
English Text:
In the courtyard of the Agora there were shipped monuments erected in honor of important persons, days and agreements. There were also statues, altars belonging to multiple gods at which offerings were made in religious ceremonies, seating places of marble (exedrae) and also the temple and permanent altar of a god honored by the city.
Through the Gate of Faustina (8) the Agora was connected to the Harbor Quarter (today's Kemeralti quarter) by a street (9). Via the Agora North Avenue (10) which passed in front of the Basilica, the Agora was again linked to the Harbor Quarter and, towards the east, with the Gymnasium Quarter.
The Agora of Smyrna was used as a cemetary in the Late Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The headstones seen in the southern part of the courtyard area have survived from Ottoman times to our present day.
Today a part measuring approximately 129 x 83 meters of the agora's central courtyard area is still visible. Of the structures surrounding this area, a major section (83 meters) of the West Portico (1), a small section (20 meters) of the East Portico (2) and the whole (161 meters) of the Basilica (3) on the north have been revealed. It is expected that the South Portico (4) is under the area south of the agora, presently used as a park. Through the digging of recent years a monumental structure, adjoining the West Portico and named the City Council Building (5) and the Salon with Mosaics (6), has been partially uncovered. The inscription on an architrave block that has been found indicates the existence of a Temple of the Nemeseis (7) that was probably within the agora or adjacent to it.
Erected by Izmir Chamber of Commerce.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 38° 25.108′ N, 27° 8.311′ E. Marker is in İzmir, in Konak. It is in Yeni. Marker can be reached from Tarik Sari Sokağı just east of Eşrefpaşa Cd., on the left when traveling east. This marker is situated in the Smyrna archaeological park, which is in a business/residential neighborhood. This particular marker is just inside the park, from the main entrance, and at the base of the entrance stairway, on the left, and is part of a cluster of markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: İzmir 35240, Turkey. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Agora of Smyrna (here, next to this marker); The Ancient City of Smyrna (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Ancient City of Smyrna (a few steps from this marker); The West Portico (within shouting distance of this marker); Neocorus of the Cult of the Emperor at Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); Honorary Inscription (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Channels (within shouting distance of this marker); The Basement of the West Portico (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in İzmir.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 3, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.