Pergamon

Ruins of Pergamon ancient city that had been one of the most important cultural center of Hellenistic period in time today can be seen in Bergama district which located 100 km away from Izmir city.

Unfortunately most important artifacts that found in  Pergamon ancient city were taken to Germany and famous Pergamon museum was founded with these artifacts. Sightseeing of Pergamon city can be separated into four parts. You can start your visit with Pergamon museum and continue with Acropol, Red Basilica and finish with Asclepion.

To reach Acropol of Pergamon you need to have your own car,  hire a taxi from Bergama city center or you must have a really strong legs to walk up there. Acropol located on the top of a hill and while you are getting to the top of that hill the splendid view ofthe town will surprise you.

You can leave your car to the parking lot which stands just by the entrance of the Pergamon. The ruins of Pergamon city are spreaded a very large area on the hill. Next to ticket Office you will see the entrance way to the pergamon city. On the left side of Entrance remains of Heroon belonging to god-king Attalos and II. Eumenes can be seen. The structures in front of Heroon are the shops from the Hellenistic period and Behind the shops, remains of Late Hellenistic stoas can be visited. The area across the shops were the place where the altar of Zeus located however today the altar can only be seen in the museum in Germany. On the South of the area of Zeus altar , upper agora of the city and just next to Zeus altar Agora temple are the places to see.

When you walk up through from the entrance on the left-side  you will see a large Sacred Athena area. The entrance part of the sacred Athena area today unfortunately can only be seen in Berlin museum. On the side of theater there was temple of Athena located but today only a very small part of the ruins can be observed.

Pergamon was a very important cultural city of ancient time and there was a library with 200.000 books in the form of rolls located in the North of Sacred Athena area . This library was a gift to Cleopatra from Antony instead of the  Burned library of Alexandria.

When you walk in the direction of theater you will see a different Theater with 10.00 people capacity that located on a very steep hill. If you can walk to the highest point of the Theater you will see a wonderfull view of Dikili beaches and Bergama plateau. Near the theater you can see the ruins of Dionysos Temple that built in 2nd century B.C

When you are getting to Bergama center from the Acropol, on the way you will also be able to see the ruins of lower agora.

You can continue your visit with Red Basilica , Pergamon Museum and Asclepion