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Labranda,
which is the holy area of Zeus Labraundos, is in ancient
Karia (Southwestern Anatolia), 14 km northeastern of Mylasa
city to which it is affiliated.
The
most ancient findings belong to the year 600 BC. The area
that has been used as holy area in 6th and 5th centuries and
then as temple terrace consisted of a single, small,
artificial terrace. A war took place in the holy area in 497
and Karia army has been defeated by the Persian army with
its alliances.
 4th
century BC is the most important period of the temple. At
the times of the satraps named Mausolos (377 - 352 BC) and
Idrieus (351 - 344 BC), this place gained a new appearance.
In 355, during the sacrifice festival in Labranda, Mausolos
escaped from an assassination towards him at the last
moment. Buildings such as a series of artificial terraces
here, one or two entrance buildings, a small Dor building
(probably a fountain building), monumental stairs, two large
feast halls (androns), shed building (named as oikoi), Stoa
and Zeus Temple surrounded with columns must be constructed
after this event. With the death of Idrieus in 344, such
works have been stopped. Because of the big fire disaster
that took place in 4th century BC, the holy area has lost
its feature of being a cult place.
The
excavation works here have been started in 1948 by
A.W.Persson and are continuing with intervals since that
time. The current excavations are being executed by P.
Hellström.
The
access from Mylasa to the holy area had been provided via
the holy road having a width of 8 m. The laying traces on
this road can be seen even today. Access to the area had
been provided with one of the two entrance buildings
(propylon). These were impressive passage doors made of
Milas marble, having two columns and Ionian frontons on each
side.
The
building called as "Dor building" was located at
just east of the southern propylon building with its
irregular formation close to a rectangle. It is a building
that is turned towards north, has four columns, a front
courtyard, a marble side and is in Dor style. It absolutely
had the function of a fountain building. This small building
has been included in the bath complex.
200
m west of the holy building, lies the stadium whose back
side is reinforced with a retaining wall. The starting and
end stones of the competitions are still existing at both
ends. It is supposed that some competitions have been made
here during the feast of 5 days made in the holy area.
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