Knidos to reopen its ancient Great Church
Knidos was home to notable figures such as Eudoxus, an esteemed astronomer, Sostratus, the architect behind the famed Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The city of Knidos, located in the Datça district of Muğla, Turkey, is experiencing a revival as restoration efforts breathe new life into its historic landmarks. With a rich history spanning 2,600 years, Knidos is set to reopen the Great Church, a religious structure whose columns are being meticulously restored. According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the revitalization of this grand edifice aims to boost tourism and showcase the city's enduring legacy.
Knidos was once a thriving center of art and trade in the ancient world. It was home to notable figures such as Eudoxus, an esteemed astronomer and mathematician, Euryphon, a distinguished physician, and Sostratus, the architect behind the famed Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The sundial developed by Eudoxus, considered a major invention of its time, still stands in the city, marking the passage of time just as it did centuries ago.
Professor Dr. Ertekin Doksanaltı, head of the Knidos excavation team and a faculty member in the Department of Archaeology at Selçuk University, has been leading the ongoing excavation and restoration projects.
Findings include striking floor mosaics, depicting figurative scenes such as wild and domestic animals—panthers, lions, and mountain goats—as well as intricate plant decorations. "These mosaics were made with master craftsmanship reflecting the palace style of the period," Doksanaltı remarked, as reported by Haberler.
The restoration of the Great Church's fallen columns and seating rows is not only a testament to the city's historical significance but also a strategic effort to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination.
Among the city's notable features are the colonnaded harbor street, agora, two ancient theaters, and twin harbors—the southern harbor being commercial and the northern harbor military, as detailed by LIFO. Excavations have revealed terrace walls that separate islands and parcels of the city.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
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