Travel Back to Roman Times: Visit Kyzikos and Experience Turkey’s Rich History and Stunning Archaeology

Published on November 27, 2025

Archaeological digs at the Hadrian Temple in ancient Kyzikos in Northwestern Turkey have revealed enormous columns, and this finding is helping to enhance the understanding of Roman art and religion of the empire. From the find, we can now learn more about antique Roman design and architecture, and it is a great addition to tourism in the region, as there are a number of historically important sites in Turkey.

The Temple of Hadrian, dedicated to the Roman emperor Hadrian, was a pivotal religious and cultural structure in Kyzikos. The grand and spacious columns have been a testament to the prominence and importance of the city in the Roman era. Recent findings have emphasized the city’s importance and its religious structures, and are a showcase of the great Roman artistic and architectural craftsmanship.

Kyzikos and Hadrian Temple’s Importance

Kyzikos was a rich city during the Roman Empire and now is an interesting place for people to visit all over the globe. The old city was positioned perfectly by the Sea of Marmara, making it a beacon for trade, culture, and politics during the Romans. The city was well known for their impressive infrastructure, huge public buildings, and large impressive temples like The Hadrian Temple, the most famous and notable building.

This lasted from the construction of the building up to now, and only been recently excavated. The building is inscribed with the devotion to Hadrian, and encapsulates the building’s and then’s the Romans devotion to their leaders with greatness. The recent fascinating and exciting finding of grand huge columns is an even more impressive testament to the temples value, and now people can come to see the grand and well made temples. The building is a testament to the temples value, and now people can come to see the grand and well made Roman temples.

This temple was built during the 2nd century AD, and this history of The Hadrian Temple and the huge columns is now an expected testament of the impressive cultural history of the city of Kyzikos and is expected to tell many more tourists to this city for an impressive testament of the cultural religious practices from the Roman empire.

Roman Art and Architecture

The new columns at the Hadrian Temple help us appreciate the different kinds of artistry, religion, and construction techniques of the Romans even more. The columns, which most likely supported a large roof and interior space, depict detailed carvings and reliefs of Roman myths and emperors. Such artistry reflects the character, religious and otherwise, of the Roman patrons of the mythological.

Roman temples, including the Hadrian Temple, served a dual purpose: religious function and display of the emperor’s power and dominance. Such columns exemplify the Roman’s unmatched capabiliites in architecture. The Hadrian Temple’s magnificence also reflects the value of Kyzikos in the Roman Empire.

Visitors to the site can see the beauty of Roman art and architecture firsthand. Because the site has columns that have just been found, it gives a sense of ancient ruins, something that is not easily available. Because of the temple site and the huge remains of the temple, it is a must place for those travelers to see who have a great interest in art, architecture, and history of Rome. 

The Visit History of Kyzikos and Balıkesir Province

The found Colossal columns and the excavation of Hadrian Temple must improve the tourism potential of the province of Balıkesir and Kyzikos. In Kyzikos, the travelers have the ancient city’s ruins to explore, where they can see the remains of the city’s baths, theaters, and city walls, and have the splendid views of the the Sea of Marmara and the countryside. 

Tourists who seek a place in the nature for rest can easily do that because of the region’s tranquil and scenic atmosphere. The Kyzikos region is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant local life. In Kyzikos, travelers can get a blend of outdoor, cultural and archaeological experiences in their trip.

Natural Beauty of Balıkesir Province
The Balıkesir Province and the region of Kyzikos are blessed with Eco-tourism as attractive and also offers natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Ecomom ‘ of the ‘ tourism define the ‘ niche ‘ of the tourist sought and considered outdoor recreation activities.

Promoting Kyzikos as a Cultural Tourism Destination Document

Kyzikos tourism is the a great potential for the development of Balıkesir tourism. The added potential is the natural beauty of the Kyzikos with temperate and great changing geography of the Kyzikos.

The tourism of Balıkesir with its natural beauty and ancient remains is active is an incentive for Balıkesir tourism.

Conclusion

Recent findings at the Hadrian Temple in Kyzikos have reinforced the site’s status as a cultural and historical place of interest. The recent finding of enormous columns brings yet another of the many charms of this ancient city to the fore and allows many to appreciate a further facet of the former might of the Roman Empire. Kyzikos is a location of many charms which has a wealth of history and beautiful ruins complemented by wonderful natural surroundings. Kyzikos should increasingly attract travelers who wish to fit a visit to the archaeological wonders of Turkey with an appreciation of cultural treasures of the country.

While the site continues to attract tourists, further findings from excavations of this once prosperous Roman city. For history buffs, the arts, and anyone who appreciates an unusual adventure, the Temple of Hadrian in Kyzikos is a portal to a bygone age.