DELTA OF CIVILIZATIONS
Welcome...
DELTA OF CIVILIZATIONS
DISCOVER MEANDROS
The Menderes River (Maiandros / Meandros) originates in Afyon Dinar, travels 615 km and empties into the Aegean Sea in Didim. It has continued to shape life in this geography for thousands of years.
The projects we have been carrying out since 2007 in the region covering the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin, which is the end point of the long journey of the Büyük Menderes River; it continues with the title "MEANDROS" , the old name of the Menderes River.
Our story; A journey in pursuit of the life, culture, history and art produced in the lands that the Meandros River gave life to four thousands of years...
Samson (Mykale) Mountains in the north, Akbük Bay in the south, and Beşparmak Mountains in the east form the geographical boundaries of the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin, which is the focal point of this journey.
Today, most of the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin lands remain within the borders of Söke and Didim districts.
"THE WORKING RIVER" FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS:
Menderes
MEANDROS' BACKGARDEN
To share with you Meandros and the legacy of the ancient lands that inspired us and continue to explore together we want. There are elements that guide us, excite us, and enable us to follow the traces of thousands of years of history. These are the unifying elements that cause us to consider/think of MEANDROS, DELTA OF CIVILIZATIONS, as a whole with its cultural, artistic, historical, archaeological and natural riches at the Basin scale.
Our Inspiration:
MENDERES RIVER
Our source of inspiration; Meander River...
For centuries, the source of life, the symbol of rebirth, purification, fertility, wisdom, and the founding element of many civilizations in Western Anatolia.
Our Top Title:
DELTA OF CIVILIZATIONS: MEANDROS
Throughout history, civilizations flourished along the water's edge. Natural basins formed by large rivers such as Menderes hosted civilizations. The problems and solutions of the cities bordering the same basin are common.
Herodotus defines the Büyük Menderes Basin as the "Valley of Civilizations". We follow in the footsteps of Herodotus.
Common Symbol:
MEANDER MOTIF
The continuous zigzags (meander) of the Meandros River changed the borders of the cities and swept away the lands.
These transformative flow movements of the river; It has also been a source of inspiration for artists and philosophers. The flow of Meandros led to the emergence of the Meander Motif, which has been used in art for thousands of years.
The Meander Motif, which has been used for decoration in many different areas from coins to sculptures, from jewelry to wood and stone processing, from textiles to mosaics, will continue to live with us as the common symbol of Meandros.
Scope:
LOWER BIG MENDERES BASIN
Our study area is The Lower Büyük Menderes Basin, the last stop of the long journey of the Büyük Menderes River...
We are the hosts of the basin where the Meandros River, which was born in Afyon Dinar and empties into the sea in Didim, meets the Aegean Sea.
What's in the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin?
The habitat of many endemic plants and creatures: Dilek Peninsula National Park and Latmos.
Capitals of world civilizations: Miletus, Priene, Didyma Apollon Temple, Myus, Herakleia Ancient Cities.
The charming villages of Didim and Söke, where traditional life is maintained.
And with its many values and colors that we will discover together, Meandros...
Geography shaped by the Menderes River:
Lower Büyük Menderes Basin
The "working river" for thousands of years, the Büyük Menderes River, has radically changed the geography of the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin with the alluvium it carries. About 1500 years ago, Lake Bafa Latmos It opened to the Aegean Sea with its Gulf. Latmos with alluviums carried by the Menderes River over the years. The Gulf of Bafa was completely closed and the connection of Lake Bafa with the sea was cut off. The ancient cities of Miletus, Myus and Assessos, which were once port cities, were completely cut off from the coast and these cities lost their port cities feature.
1500 Years Ago From Today
Today
