Klaros Ancient City excavations reveal major ancient oracle center

Archaeological excavations at the Klaros Ancient City in the Menderes district of Izmir are revealing the history of one of the ancient world’s three major oracle centers. Led by Associate Professor Onur Zunal from Ege University, the site served as a pagan sacred area and prophetic hub from the 13th century BCE to the 4th century CE.

Historical records suggest that emperors, commanders, and city administrators from across Europe and Africa—including modern-day Italy, Spain, and Mauritania—visited Klaros to consult the oracle of Apollo regarding wars, epidemics, and urban planning. One notable prophecy involves the founding of modern Izmir; following a dream by Alexander the Great, his commander Lysimakhos consulted the oracle, which predicted that residents of the new city would be three to four times happier than those in the old one.

The excavations have also highlighted the massive scale of the Temple of Apollo, which took approximately 450 years to construct. The temple features marble columns weighing up to 80 tons, with materials sourced from as far as Marmara Island and Paros. As Christianity spread between the 5th and 7th centuries CE, the site transitioned from a religious center to a settlement featuring blacksmith workshops and brick production.