Ariassos was an ancient city in the mountains, about 50 km from the coast. The town was on two hills. On the right western hill remains of a city wall are preserved, on both hills graves and ruins of buildings.

The most striking and best preserved building of the city is the excellently preserved city gate from the 3rd century AD.

The existence of the ruins of Ariassos was no secret among researchers since the 19th century. In 1892, the Austrian explorer Karl Graf Lanckoroński, in his book "Städte Pamphyliens und Pisidiens", volume 2, described the remains of the city as "Kretopolis".

Ariassos belonged in Hellenistic times to the sphere of influence of the kingdom of Pergamon. Attalos III, King of Pergamon, (* 171 BC; † 133 BC) decreed that in the event of his death kingdom and royal treasures would be inherited by Rome. So Ariassos also came under Roman rule after his death in 133 BC.

In 1892, Victor Bérard, head of a French research expedition, made a groundbreaking discovery. An inscription was excavated which allowed the identification of this place as "Ariassos".

In 1988, the foundations of two basilicas from the early days of Christianity could be identified in the lower part of the city. A team from Swansea University in Wales, UK, designed a plan of the main public buildings, including said basilicas, a theatre, a bouleuterion, a prytaneion, a nymphaeum, fountains, baths and necropolises.

Early Christian Basilica

You can reach Ariassos via the national road D 650, Antalya-Isparta. Coming from Antalya after about 50 km you first drive through several excellent serpentines to cross the pass summit of Çubuk Beli at its end. After about 2 km on the left side you cannot use the branch to Ariassos after installing a new central guard rail at this point. One kilometre further on, you can turn around at the exit to Dağbeli From the turn-off to Ariassos to the first ruins it is now only 1 km.