www.mugla-turizm.gov.tr

The nude statue of Aphrodite

Knidos was once famed for its nude statue of the Goddess Aphrodite, carved by the artist Praktiteles. It was so beautiful that people from other cities used to come to see it. Up until then, while statues of gods made nude, those of goddesses were usually carved so as to depict them partly covered, exposing one breast and the neck. Praktiteles’ Aphrodite was the first nude statue of a goddess in the world. Even when Knidos went though financial hardships the people refuse the offer of a large sum of money from the King of Bithynia for the statue and preferred to keep their Aphrodite and stay in poverty. This statue has never been found but its plinth is still here. Between the years 1966-1977, the Americans conducted some excavations in order to find the statue. However, such activities were later banned by Turkish authorities, though new excavations have begun under the leadership of Professor Ramazan Özgen.

Transport-food and drink

In the historical site there is a restaurant that provides services in summer. If you do not go to Knidos with your own vehicles choose to get there by boat. The shared boats run a return trip from Datça to the site. In addition, minibuses run to within seven kilometres of the historical site. For more details on the ancient city of Knidos see the book, Ancient Cities of Turkey, one of series of by the Gezi Publication books.