(Note: Click on small pictures to see a larger version)

The city of Priene was built into a hillside with an excellent view down towards the ocean. The former site of the city had been rendered uninhabitable due either to silting from the river Maeander, or to conquest. The present site was first inhabited about 350 B.C. when the city was relocated. It was mostly abandoned around 200 A.D., probably after a fire. For a more complete historical and archeological description, follow this link.

	Priene commanded the plain below where the river Maeander flows into the sea.
	It was quite a hike up to the city. Note the drainage gutter on the right side of the steps.
		The columns of the temple of Athena Polias have been set back up to help give an idea of the size of the temple.
	The theater had special seats for important people.
	The city council met here. It's called a Bouleuterion.
	The details in the carvings were still sharp after all these years.
	A herd of goats seemed to be the only permanent residents of Priene today.