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The Best Preserved Byzantine Ruins in Turkey

Explore the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Turkey. Below, we have highlighted the best preserved byzantine sites across the country.

Top Byzantine Sites in Turkey

Each site listed here has played a role in shaping the Byzantine world. The ruins offer insight into Byzantine engineering, daily life, and culture. For an interactive visual overview of all Byzantine sites in Turkey, please consult our Byzantine Sites Map above.

Explore the Best Preserved Byzantine Ruins in Turkey

Below is a categorized list of Byzantine sites that have detailed articles.

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TitleCountryTypeRatingPopularityExcerpt
Aphrodisias Ancient CityTurkeyCity4.8MediumAphrodisias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases ancient Greek and Roman architecture and sculpture.
Aspendos: An Ancient City in Pamphylia, TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.8HighAspendos is an ancient city in southern Anatolia known for its continuous occupation from the Late Bronze Age through the Ottoman period. It features remarkable Roman architecture, including a well-p…
Ephesus Ancient CityTurkeyCity4.8Very HighA detailed overview of the archaeological site of Ephesus, its history, and remains.
Hierapolis-Pamukkale: An Ancient Healing City and UNESCO World Heritage Site in TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.8HighHierapolis-Pamukkale is renowned for its unique combination of natural thermal springs and extensive archaeological remains, reflecting a continuous human presence from the Iron Age through the medie…
Kibyra Ancient City: A Historical and Archaeological Site in TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.8MediumKibyra Ancient City, located on a volcanic plateau in Burdur Province, Türkiye, was a prominent urban center from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity. Its strategic position at the crossroa…
Laodicea Ancient City: A Historical Urban Center in Western TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.8MediumLaodicea Ancient City, located near modern Goncalı in Denizli province, Türkiye, was a prominent urban center from the Hellenistic through Ottoman periods. It played key roles in regional trade, reli…
Sagalassos Archaeological Site: An Ancient City in Southwestern TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.8MediumSagalassos offers extensive archaeological evidence of continuous human occupation from the early Holocene through the medieval period, highlighting its development as a fortified urban center during…
Aizanoi: An Ancient City in Western Turkey with Rich Historical LegacyTurkeyCity4.7MediumAizanoi, located in western Turkey, showcases continuous habitation from the Early Bronze Age through the medieval period. Its archaeological remains reveal a city that evolved through Phrygian, Hell…
Anamurium Ancient City: A Historical Site in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumAnamurium Ancient City offers a glimpse into a coastal settlement that evolved from a Hellenistic port to a Roman city, reflecting layers of Mediterranean history and culture.
Dara: An Ancient Fortified City in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumDara served as a strategic military stronghold and later a diverse agricultural village, reflecting its evolving role through Byzantine, Sasanian, and Ottoman periods.
Myra: An Ancient Lycian City in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumMyra, located in modern-day Demre, Turkey, was a thriving Lycian city known for its rich cultural heritage, religious significance, and role as a maritime hub. It offers valuable insights into ancien…
Pergamon Ancient City: A Multi-Period Archaeological Site in Western TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumPergamon Ancient City, located in modern Bergama, Turkey, offers a rich historical record from the Archaic through Byzantine periods. It was a prominent cultural and political center, especially unde…
Perge Ancient City: A Historical and Archaeological Site in Antalya, TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.7MediumPerge Ancient City, located near Antalya in Türkiye, showcases a continuous human presence from the Early Bronze Age through the Byzantine period. Its strategic position and rich archaeological remai…
Phaselis: An Ancient Maritime City on the Lycian Coast of TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.7HighPhaselis was a coastal city founded by Rhodian Greeks in the late seventh century BCE, known for its three natural harbors and strategic location. It experienced diverse cultural influences through P…
Priene: An Ancient Ionian City in Western TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumPriene was an ancient Ionian city known for its well-preserved Hellenistic urban planning, democratic institutions, and rich cultural heritage spanning from the Archaic through Byzantine periods. Its…
Sardis Ancient City: Capital of the Lydian Kingdom and Key Anatolian CenterTurkeyCity4.7MediumSardis Ancient City, located in western Turkey, served as the capital of the Lydian kingdom and later as an important administrative and cultural center under Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzanti…
Side Ancient CityTurkeyCity4.7Very HighDiscover the rich history and remains of the ancient city of Side.
Stratonikeia: An Ancient City in Southwestern TurkeyTurkeyCity4.7MediumStratonikeia, located in southwestern Turkey, was a prominent city from the Hellenistic through Byzantine periods. Its strategic position, extensive ruins, and rich archaeological record reveal its e…
Zerzevan Castle: A Byzantine Fortress in Modern TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.7LowZerzevan Castle served as a military stronghold on the Byzantine Empire's eastern frontier, overseeing key trade routes and later evolving into a civilian settlement. Its remains offer insight into t…
Aigai (Aeolis): An Ancient Aeolian City in Modern TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6LowAigai, founded by Aeolian Greeks, offers a glimpse into ancient urban life in northwest Anatolia, showcasing cultural resilience and architectural heritage through its Hellenistic and Roman phases.
Anavarza Ruins: A Historic Fortress and City in Cilicia, Southern TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.6LowThe Anavarza Ruins represent a multi-period archaeological site that served as a strategic military stronghold, administrative center, and religious hub from the Hellenistic era through the Ottoman p…
Ardanuç Castle: A Historic Fortress in TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.6LowArdanuç Castle, built by ancient Georgian rulers and later controlled by the Ottomans, served as a strategic stronghold and regional center with a rich history spanning from the 5th century through t…
Kaunos Ancient City: A Historical and Archaeological Site in Southwestern TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.6MediumKaunos Ancient City, located on a rocky promontory near the Dalyan channel in southwestern Türkiye, offers extensive archaeological evidence of continuous occupation from the Late Bronze Age through …
Knidos Ancient City: A Maritime and Cultural Center in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6MediumKnidos Ancient City, located on the Datça peninsula in Turkey, was a prominent maritime and cultural center from the Archaic Greek period through the Byzantine era. Its strategic coastal position fac…
Lefke Gate in İznik: A Roman-Byzantine City EntranceTurkeyMilitary4.6LowLefke Gate in İznik, Turkey, offers a glimpse into the city's Roman and Byzantine past, serving as a key defensive structure and reflecting the area's historical urban development.
Miletus: An Ancient Ionian City on the Aegean Coast of TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6MediumMiletus was a prominent Ionian city-state known for its extensive maritime trade, colonization, and cultural influence from the Neolithic through Byzantine periods. Its strategic location at the mout…
Olympos Ancient City: A Lycian Coastal Settlement in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6HighOlympos Ancient City, located on the Lycian coast of southwestern Turkey, showcases continuous occupation from the Lycian period through Byzantine times. Its strategic coastal position fostered marit…
Patara Ancient City: A Lycian Coastal Center in TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.6MediumPatara Ancient City served as the capital of the Lycian League and a vital maritime port from the Lycian through Byzantine periods. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Xanthos River enabled po…
Pinara: An Ancient Lycian City in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6LowPinara is an ancient city founded by the Lycians in southwestern Anatolia, known for its unique rock formations, rich cultural heritage, and well-preserved ruins that reflect Lycian, Hellenistic, Rom…
Tripolis near Buldan: An Ancient City at the Crossroads of Lydia, Phrygia, and CariaTurkeyCity4.6MediumTripolis, located near modern Buldan in Turkey, was a vibrant city that played a key role in regional trade and culture from its founding by the Kingdom of Pergamon through Roman and Byzantine times.…
Uzuncaburç: An Ancient City in Southern TurkeyTurkeyCity4.6MediumUzuncaburç is a city that evolved from a Hellenistic religious center to a Roman city and later a Christian bishopric, with ruins that reveal its layered history.
Assos Archaeological Site: An Ancient Coastal City in Western TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.5MediumThe Assos Archaeological Site, located on a coastal headland in western Türkiye, reveals a continuous occupation from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine era. Known for its strategic maritime positi…
Castle of Kars: A Historic Fortress in TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.5MediumThe Castle of Kars is a historic fortress that has witnessed centuries of regional power struggles and architectural evolution, reflecting the diverse cultures that have shaped its walls.
Kastabala Ancient City: A Historical Site in Modern TurkeyTurkeyCity4.5LowKastabala Ancient City offers a glimpse into a city that evolved from the Late Hittite period through Roman and Byzantine times, reflecting diverse cultural and political influences along the Ceyhan …
Lampron Fortress: An 11th-Century Armenian Stronghold in TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.5LowLampron Fortress, built in the 11th century, served as a key military and noble seat in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, witnessing diverse rulers and historical events that shaped the region.
Letoon Sanctuary: An Ancient Lycian Religious Center in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.5MediumLetoon Sanctuary was a central religious site for the ancient Lycian civilization, dedicated to the goddess Leto and her children Artemis and Apollo. It played a key role in Lycian culture and govern…
Olba: An Ancient City in Modern Turkey with Rich Roman and Byzantine HeritageTurkeyCity4.5LowOlba is an ancient city located in present-day Turkey, known for its blend of Roman and Byzantine architecture and its historical role as a religious and administrative center.
Telmessos: An Ancient Lycian City in Modern TurkeyTurkeyCity4.5LowTelmessos, located in present-day Fethiye, Turkey, is an ancient city with roots in the Bronze Age. Known for its diviners and rich cultural history, it played roles in Lycian, Greek, Roman, and Byza…
Yoros Castle: A Historic Fortress at the Bosphorus in TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.5MediumYoros Castle, located where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, has served as a key defensive and trading site through various eras, reflecting a rich blend of cultural and religious influences.
Alexandria Troas: An Ancient Greek and Roman City in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.4LowAlexandria Troas offers a glimpse into a city that thrived as a maritime and cultural center from the Hellenistic through Byzantine periods, reflecting layers of history shaped by Greek, Roman, and e…
Kayseri Castle: A Historic Fortress in TurkeyTurkeyMilitary4.4HighKayseri Castle, located in central Turkey, reflects a rich history of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman influences, serving as a defensive and communal stronghold through centuries of change.
Xanthos: The Ancient Lycian Capital in TürkiyeTurkeyCity4.4MediumXanthos, located in southwestern Türkiye, was the capital of ancient Lycia and played a central role in the region's political, religious, and cultural history from the Late Bronze Age through the By…
Elaiussa Sebaste: An Ancient City in Cilicia, TurkeyTurkeyCity4.3MediumElaiussa Sebaste is an ancient city founded by Greek colonists in the 2nd century BC, later becoming a Roman-influenced capital known for its maritime trade and diverse archaeological remains.
Halicarnassus: An Ancient Carian City and Mausoleum Site in TurkeyTurkeyCity4.3Very LowHalicarnassus, located in modern-day Bodrum, Turkey, was a prominent Carian city known for the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the ancient world's wonders. It reflects a unique blend of Greek and …
Allianoi: An Ancient Healing Spa Settlement in TurkeyTurkeySanitation4Very LowAllianoi was an ancient spa settlement near Bergama, Turkey, known for its thermal springs and role as a center for healing and medical treatment from the Roman through Byzantine periods.
Kyzikos: An Ancient City on the Kapıdağ Peninsula in TürkiyeTurkeyCity3.7MediumKyzikos was a prominent ancient city controlling key maritime routes between the Aegean and Black Seas. Its long history spans from the Archaic Greek period through Byzantine times, marked by economi…
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