EGETÜRKİYE

Philadelphia (Alaşehir)

A threshold within Alaşehir's living urban fabric, from Attalos's Philadelphia to Byzantine walls and churches.

Image: St Jean Church in Philadelphia · Wikimedia CommonsPhotograph unavailable
Image: St Jean Church in Philadelphia · Wikimedia Commons

Manisa · Threshold city

An ancient city within Alaşehir

Philadelphia's ancient remains intertwine directly with Alaşehir's vibrant modern streets, where Roman monumental masonry, Byzantine bastions and soaring church piers emerge amid town life.

Attalos's name of brotherhood

Pergamon King Attalos II founded the city in the 2nd century BCE, naming it Philadelphia ('brotherly love') in honour of his brother Eumenes II as a vital eastern trade gateway.

The Seven Churches and St Jean Basilica

Celebrated in the Book of Revelation as one of the Seven Churches of Asia, Philadelphia preserves the colossal brick piers of the 6th-century Basilica of St Jean soaring above the town.

Gediz vineyards and ancient remains

Surrounded by celebrated Sultana vineyards, Alaşehir bridges ancient Sardis with the volcanic wonders of Kula Geopark.

City of brotherly love and Gediz vineyards

Resting at the foot of Mount Tmolus in Alaşehir, Philadelphia was founded by the kings of Pergamon as an emblem of brotherly devotion, home to one of Revelation's Seven Churches. Linking Sardis with Kula Geopark, it marries deep sacred history with Aegean viticulture.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Philadelphia (Alaşehir)?

Philadelphia (Alaşehir) is presented in this guide as a threshold city in Manisa.

How can I find sources for Philadelphia (Alaşehir)?

The Sources section links to the evidence supporting this dossier.