Looking north from the ruins of St. John's Basilica, we see directly before us the Citadel fortified with 15 towers, all crowning the highest part of the hill of Ayasuluk. The Citadel which is a strong structure built by Byzantines was repaired during the time of the Aydinogullari. The walls and a tower in the southern part show characteristics of this last period.  The Citadel can be entered through several openings in the west. Inside are reservoirs and the ruins of a mosque. Further up, there is a ruin which is known to have belonged to a Byzantine church and used to as a reservoir by the Aydinogullari. It is traditionally believed that St. John wrote his gospel and prayed for mankind at the top of the hill.

By Yigitcan KANGUL [YK]