View source for Agora of Smyrna

{{Short description|Square of ancient İzmir}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name =  Agora of Smyrna
|native_name = İzmir Agorası
|alternate_name = Agora of İzmir
|image = Izmir Agora.JPG
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|location = [[İzmir]], [[Turkey]]
|coordinates = {{coord|38|25|08|N|27|08|16|E|region:TR_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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|material = [[Marble]]
 |built = 4th century BC
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|excavations = 1933–present
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|public_access = Yes
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}}
The '''Agora of Smyrna''', alternatively known as the '''Agora of İzmir''' ({{langx|tr|İzmir Agorası}}), is an ancient Roman [[agora]] located in [[Smyrna]] (present-day [[İzmir]], Turkey). Originally built by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, the agora was ruined by an earthquake in 178 AD.<ref name="ktb">[https://izmir.ktb.gov.tr/TR-77098/izmir---agora.html İzmir - Agora]</ref> Roman Emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] ordered its reconstruction.<ref>[https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/seyahat/izmirin-kent-merkezindeki-1800-yillik-tarihi-agora-41485566 İzmir'in kent merkezindeki 1800 yıllık 'Tarihi Agora']</ref> Excavations started in 1933.<ref name="ktb"/> In 2020, the Agora of Smyrna became a [[List of World Heritage Sites in Turkey (tentative list)|Tentative World Heritage Site]] as part of "The Historical Port City of Izmir."<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6471/ | title = The Historical Port City of Izmir | publisher = [[UNESCO]] | accessdate = 16 April 2020}}</ref>
==Buildings and structures of the agora==
#Faustina Gate
#Ancient Street<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/main-street-revealed-in-agora-of-smyrna-43181 |title=Main street revealed in agora of Smyrna |work=Hürriyet Daily News |date=19 March 2013 |accessdate=29 April 2020}}</ref>
#North Stoa (Basilica)<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/29751617/Graffiti_from_the_Basilica_in_the_Agora_of_Smyrna_ISAW_and_NYU_Press_2016 Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna]</ref>
#West Stoa
#Graffiti
#Corinthian colonnade
#Ottoman-era Muslim graveyard<ref>[https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2016/10/31/smyrna-agora-a-historical-and-architectural-treasure Smyrna Agora a historical and architectural treasure]</ref>
#House of [[Sabbatai Zevi]]<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/4823901/Cortijo_de_Sevi_Kültür_Mirasi_Sabatay_Sevi_nin_Evi_nin_Geçmişi_Bugünü_ve_Geleceği_Toplumsal_Tarih_2010_ Cortijo de Sevi: Kültür Mirası Sabatay Sevi'nin Evi'nin Geçmişi, Bugünü ve Geleceği]</ref>
=== Recent Discoveries and Features ===
Recent excavations at the Agora of Smyrna have revealed several noteworthy features:
* A functional 2,000-year-old water trench, highlighting the advanced engineering of the period.
* Graffiti on the basilica wall, believed to be the world's first crossword.
* Evidence suggesting coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and Jews, as indicated by candles featuring the Star of David.
* Ongoing excavations are currently focused on Ottoman-era graveyards.
[Source: [Daily Sabah](https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2016/10/31/smyrna-agora-a-historical-and-architectural-treasure)]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Agora of İzmir}}
{{İzmir}}
{{Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey}}
[[Category:Ancient Smyrna]]
[[Category:Ancient Roman buildings and structures in Turkey]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in İzmir]]
[[Category:Konak District]]
[[Category:World Heritage Tentative List for Turkey]]