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This monumental gate, which is on the north south road, immediately
east of the temple, dates back to the second century. Four pillars in each
corner gave him this name. It is difficult to know what its exact purpose was.
It is not opposite of the temple entrance building. However we could say that
the procession, which came to the temple, assembled here before entering the
temple. In whole, it was the works of the Aphrodite architects and sculptors,
which was designed to only show off. We see that the building has very different
styles and is architecturally very rich. Some of the smooth, notched and spiral
formed pillars consist of double pillars. Some pillars are made of blue marble.
On the western architrave, hunting scenes demonstrate horses and Nikes are
jumping out of acanthus plants. The east front consists of half circled curves.
The star of the Aphrodite, Venus, reflects in this circle in the mornings and in
the evenings. Right to the east ofTetrapylon, there is a simple
grave made of white marble from the Aphrodisias marble breakage. The man buried
in this grave had dedicated half of his life the city. It was through his
efforts that Aphrodisias was dug out and first became famous through Professor
Dr. Kenan T. Erim.
Kenan Erim sacrificed his efforts for the restoration, had, three weeks after
the restoration and the opening of the Tetrapylon by the then President Turgut
Ozal, said good by eternally.
The restoration of the Tetrapylon is the most important
restoration that was made up to now in Anatolia. 80% of the antique original
parts were found with the excavations and put to their original places. In
addition, a restoration was carried out which made it a hypothesis concerning
the entire building possible. Turkish and Austrian archaeologists and
professionals took part in the restorations. |
