East Side of Gateway

East Side of Gateway

View looking northwest at the Monumental Gateway ( = tetrapylon) that was the main entrance into the Temple of Aphrodite Complex from the east.

View looking northwest at the east (exterior side) of the Tetrapylon.  The stone pavement in the foreground is the main north-south street that ran in front of the gate.  On the left, behind the gateway, where the person is standing, was the forecourt of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

Note the variety of columns on plinths: plain columns, spiral columns, and fluted columns.


The Tetrapylon as a monumental gateway to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite built ca. AD 200.  It led from a main north-south street into a large forecourt in front of the Temple.  Its decoration has a richness typical of the second century AD.  A complete scientific reconstruction (anastylosis) of the monument was completed in 1991.  It was made possible by the extraordinary preservation of the structure — 85% of its original marble blocks survive. (from a sign at the site of the Tetrapylon)