Details:
The Market Gate of Miletus was built in the 2nd century A.D. and is on display in the Pergamon Museum.
Information:
Miletus was an ancient Greek city located in modern day Turkey. The Gate was probably constructed under the reign of Hadrian, a roman emperor. The Gate was located at the north entrance to the southern market in Miletus. It was later incorporated into the city walls under the rule of Justinian I, a Byzantine emperor. The Gate was destroyed in an earthquake and the ruins were not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century by a German archaeologist, Theodor Wiegand. The remains of the Gate were shipped back to Berlin and were to be reconstructed for the re-opening of the Pergamon Museum in 1930. As the Pergamon Alter is currently closed for renovation until 2019, the Market Gate of Miletus is an worthy replacement. It’s size and beauty alone make it one on the highlights of the museum.
Did you know?:
What is on display is only a portion of the original Gate. The Gate was refurbished in the 3rd century after damaged caused by an earthquake. Then in the 10th or 11th century the Gate was left in ruins after another earthquake. At that time some of the Gate’s rubble was used in the reconstruction of the surround buildings. However, most of the rubble remained buried. After it’s excavation and reconstruction in Berlin, the Gate faced further destruction during World War II. The damage to the Gate caused by aerial strikes was worsened as it was left exposed to the elements. The Gate was then restored again in the 1950s. From over 750 tonnes of rubble shipped to Berlin from the excavations, what we see today is roughly 60% of the original Market Gate of Miletus.