Labranda Ancient City: The Sacred Pilgrimage Site of Caria
The Temple of Zeus Labraundos and Labranda's Sacred Grounds
Fotoğraf: Melike Nilüfer Dikmen
Labranda is considered one of the most important ancient settlements in the Caria region. The temple, believed to have been dedicated to the god Zeus by the Persian satrap Mausolus, was built on the southern slopes of Mount Latmos.
This sacred site, known as the Temple of Zeus Labraundos, was considered a pilgrimage center and a holy place for the Carians.
The precise details about Labranda’s ancient settlement can only be understood through chronological evaluations based on excavations and research conducted over the years. Labranda, which once served as the capital of the Caria region, is located 15 kilometers from Milas and was connected by a sacred road. The city, built on the slopes of a mountain at an altitude of 750 meters, underwent various phases of development and urbanization over time. The impressive and opulent ruins have been the subject of many foreign scholars’ research and publications, highlighting the architectural grandeur of the site.
Labranda, the most significant ancient settlement in Caria, has its earliest construction traces dating back to 3000-2500 BCE, during the Bronze Age. According to the notes of documentary director Tekin Gün, who visited the site in 2017, Labranda remained inhabited until the 13th century CE. Archaeological research and scientific excavations, ongoing since 1948, have revealed that Labranda was an essential cultural center for the Carians and was regarded as their first sacred site.
