Guide
Kyzikos stands where the Kapidag peninsula joins the mainland, in the Erdek district of Balıkesir. Its recorded history begins in the middle of the eighth century BC, and its position made it an important settlement and trading centre for centuries. The same geography eventually undid it: the city sits on an earthquake belt, and after the earthquake of the mid-sixth century AD much of the population moved away and Kyzikos never recovered its standing.
The city was ringed by strong walls, and within them are the remains of a temple of Hadrian — thought to have been the largest temple in Anatolia — along with an amphitheatre, a necropolis, a metroon, a bouleuterion, a theatre, an acropolis and an agora. Kyzikos was also one of the few cities to have three harbours. Excavation is continuing, aimed both at uncovering the structures identified so far and at opening the site to visitors, so expect an active dig rather than a finished ruin. Coins and other finds from the scientific excavations are displayed at the Bandırma Museum, which is worth pairing with a visit. The site is eight kilometres from Erdek on the Erdek-Bandırma road.
