South of the mouth of the Great river Menderes airport, which in ancient times was called the Meander, are the ruins of one of the once most powerful and wealthiest Ionian cities. Miletus or Miletus was founded in the second half of the fourth Millennium BC, around 3500 – 3000 years BC Situated on the Western coast of Anatolia in Turkey, the city was an important center of philosophy and Sciences of the time. Herodotus called it "the pearl of Ionia". Greek scientists established a school of philosophy and scientific works in the city were doing such great minds as Thales, Anaximander and the Pupil. Thales, Anaximander and the Pupil have held lectures about the world, Genesis, studied astronomy and geometry.

The city was in the North-Western part of the Peninsula, and its natural boundary was Heraclea Bay, into which flowed the Meander is the deepest river in Asia Minor, flowing into the Aegean sea. With spurs Carian mountains of the Peninsula is bordered in the East. Southern policy was washed by the Bay Mendelii, and on the West bordered the Aegean sea. In this small area of the valley gave way to hilly plateaus and ravines flowing streams that irrigate the fields and pastures. Thanks to such an abundance of mountain springs residents policy was successfully engaged in farming, gardening and winemaking.

Since the city was found a linear texts and fragments of frescoes of the Minoan style, it is believed that the first settlements appeared here from the Neolithic period. According to the legend the city was founded by the hero named Miletus, who moved here from Crete. At the same time with the same reasons were founded or populated and eleven other Ionian cities, as well as 12 of the policies Eolie. Together with these cities policy is included in the so-called Anyonesi religious Union, which was formed about 700 BC, and was recognized as the head of the Union.

Thanks to a good location, in the city of well-developed trade and shipping. Merchant ships of Miletus crossed the Mediterranean, and often came to the Pontus euxinus (Black sea), to the mouth of the river Tanais (don). On the banks of Pont Miletus during its heyday owned 80-90 colonies. Milesian colony was even in Ancient Egypt.

The policy is divided into external and internal parts. The last one had a special fortress, both of which were surrounded by one wall. There were four harbour protected from the sea Tradesystem Islands.

Miletos had to repeatedly assert their independence. He battled Lydian kings and Persian rulers. Fourth century BC was the period of greatest prosperity of science and culture policy. Tirana city during this period has maintained friendly relations with the Persian kings. But in 494 B. C. the city was captured and destroyed by the Persians. Here again soon settled by the Greeks. Brilliant heyday of Miletus falls on the Roman era, but in Byzantine times the town was in decline and has lost its former significance as a result of flooding of the port. The value of it has dropped dramatically since his secondary destruction by Alexander the great. Now the town is a poor village of Palaces, and the ancient city of Miletos is a well preserved ruins.

In the city you can explore the well preserved ruins of the ancient theatre, once a capacity of 15 thousand spectators. This is the most magnificent building of Miletus belongs to the Roman period and is located immediately at the entrance for the ticket office. The theatre was built in the second century on the foundations of ancient Greek theatre. It is located on the hillside of the city's only hill. The structure's dimensions are impressive: the diameter of the amphitheatre is 140 meters and a height of 30 meters.

Above the theatre are the ruins of a Byzantine castle Dating back to the VIII century, and fragments of a once fairly long city walls, which was enclosed by a double ring both parts of the city. It offers a great view of the entire policy.

If you descend from this vantage point you to the city center, the road passes the Hellenistic tombs, behind which is a small round base. In the first century BC it was a monument in honor of the victory in a naval battle. At the time he was on the shore of the Bay, Lion's Bay, on the banks of which were found stone lions. Located here colonnade led to the Delphic temple of Apollo, the patron Saint of ships, ports, and mariners. This sanctuary was founded in ancient times, but was twice reconstructed. In the Hellenistic period, the building was restored in the Doric style, and in the Roman period the porticos of the temple were converted at Corinth.

At Miletus well preserved famous baths of Faustina, built about 150 year. They were devoted to the extravagant wife of Marcus Aurelius and were the gift of the Emperor to the city. The Spa was copied Roman, so to speak, the forerunner of the Turkish baths (Hamam). The Central courtyard was surrounded by Corinthian columns, and in the gym, you can go through apodyterium, a room for undressing, where stood the statues of the Muses (they are now in the Museum of Istanbul). Sculptures that used to be fountains of the Central basin, was decorated and the frigidarium of the baths. One of them was a local deity of the Meander, and the other was made in the form of a lion's head.

The most unexpected in the territory of Miletus is the building of a mosque, an example of early Turkish-Ottoman architecture that fascinates tourists with elaborately carved stone. The mosque was built in the early fifteenth century by the Emir of menteshe Ilyas Bay in gratitude for his safe return from captivity by Tamerlan. The small building is decorated with marble slabs, and is crowned by a graceful dome. The building was one minaret, which collapsed during an earthquake in 1958. Earlier when the temple existed caravanserai and madrassas, but now grassy yard can only be seen standing and lying in disorder tombstones.

Also in milete you can see the remaining half of the once huge fountain, partially restored ionic portico, the North Agora (market square). To the West are the ruins of the temple Serapia, dated III century.

Most other buildings in the Hellenistic and Roman era hidden behind dense thickets of a prickly Bush or under the ground. The best time to visit Miletus - spring when the ruins are surrounded by fresh greenery and flowers. Interesting is the fact that the name of Miletos ancient it became a proverb, and was used to denote a happy and lucky people, so to say "spoilt children of happiness".