Alaşehir

Alaşehir is a town and district in Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is located in the fertile valley of the Küçük Menderes River (Cayster River in antiquity), about 105 km east of İzmir.

History: Alaşehir is historically significant as the site of ancient Philadelphia (Greek: Φιλαδέλφεια, "brotherly love"), one of the cities of the Decapolis in the New Testament's Book of Revelation (Revelation 3:7-13). Founded in 189 BCE by King Eumenes II of Pergamon, it was named in honor of his brother Attalus II Philadelphus, who was his designated heir. Philadelphia was a strategic location on the route between Pergamon and other major cities. Due to frequent earthquakes, the city was largely rebuilt during the Byzantine period. It remained a prominent center of Christianity throughout the Byzantine era and the early Ottoman period.

Economy: The economy of Alaşehir is primarily based on agriculture, particularly viticulture (grape cultivation). Alaşehir is a major producer of seedless grapes (raisins) for both domestic consumption and export. Other agricultural products include cotton, olives, and various fruits and vegetables. The town also has some light industry related to agricultural processing and packaging.

Geography: Alaşehir lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. The climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of the Aegean region. The surrounding area includes fertile farmland and is an important agricultural region.

Points of Interest: While many of the ancient ruins of Philadelphia are buried under the modern town, some remnants are visible, including sections of the Byzantine city walls and a few fragments of ancient buildings. The Church of St. John, although largely rebuilt, stands on the site of an earlier Byzantine church and is a significant historical landmark.

Modern Alaşehir: Today, Alaşehir is a bustling market town and a center for grape production and trade. It is connected to other parts of Turkey by road and rail.