Agora of Smyrna

An Ancient Market in the Heart of History: Agora of Smyrna

Standing like a time capsule in the center of Izmir, almost among piles of concrete, Agora of Smyrna is one of the most important pieces of the city’s historical texture as the administrative, commercial, and artistic center of the ancient city. Dating back to the Roman period, this massive structure is one of the largest city agoras of the ancient world and takes its visitors thousands of years back with its columns, arches, and underground galleries that still stand today. Touring the Agora is walking in the noisy markets of ancient Smyrna, admiring the architectural genius of the period, and catching one’s breath among those massive structures that are silent witnesses of history. Especially the underground cisterns and galleries are fascinating details exhibiting the engineering skill of the ancient period. Right in the center of the city, at this point where history and modern life intersect, it is a unique stop for those who want to discover Izmir’s ancient past. With its every stone, Agora is one of the most valuable monuments reflecting Izmir’s historical identity, whispering the social life, the mobility of trade, and the cultural wealth of the ancient age.

Highlights of Agora of Smyrna

• Trade Center of the Ancient World: One of the largest agoras reaching from the Roman period to the present day, where the pulse of the ancient city’s social and commercial life beat.
• Architectural and Engineering Wonder: A unique historical texture with its remaining columns, magnificent arches, and underground galleries reflecting the water management technology of the ancient period.
• Meeting of History and Modernity: A historical sanctuary rising right in the center of Izmir, inside the modern city texture, opening the door of the past to visitors.