Side's ruins cover a great swathe of land on a promontory separated from the mainland by a wall and moat inside which medieval buildings were incorporated into the Roman ruins, some of which have been here since the days of Alexander the Great. The ruined theatre is a vast building, it was capable of seating up to 20,000 people. Built like a Roman amphitheatre with arches because there was no suitable sport to build the Greek outdoor kind. The Byzantines made it into a sanctuary after the room collapsed onto the stage and the two chapels date from that period. An equally colossal sized main gate is another interesting feature of the ruins. Erected in the 2nd Century, the gate is at the top of a street that was once lined with colonnades and pillars and leads to an old Roman Baths, now turned into the site's museum. Fountains, temples, a nymphaeum – a man made nymph grotto, more streets, baths, shops and residences can also be recognised amongst the ruins.

Side has been the focus of archaeologists since the mid 20th Century and still hosts new parties interested in uncovering more ground.

Written by  Sally Saesons Says.

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