Pergamon
Bergama Akropolü
The capital of the Hellenistic Pergamon Kingdom. The ancient theatre, Trajan’s Temple and the Asklepion on a steep hillside are magnificent, and the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.
Pergamon lies in Bergama, about 100 km north of Izmir. In the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC it was the capital of the Attalid Pergamon Kingdom, renowned for scholarship and art. Its library held around 200,000 scrolls, rivalling the Library of Alexandria, and the word “parchment” derives from “Pergamon.” The acropolis sits on a summit about 335 metres high and is reached by cable car. Highlights include one of the steepest theatres of the Hellenistic world, seating about 10,000 people in 80 rows almost vertically along the hillside, where the view over the plain is dizzying. Also worth seeing are the white marble Trajaneum, the ruins of the Temple of Athena and the library, and the foundations of the Great Altar of Zeus. The altar itself was transported to Berlin by German archaeologists in the 19th century and is now displayed at the Pergamon Museum. Down the hill, the Asklepion was a famous ancient medical centre where the physician Galen practised. It has a Sacred Way, healing tunnels and a theatre. In town, the Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu), a Roman-era Egyptian temple later converted into a church, is also worth a visit. The acropolis and the Asklepion sell separate tickets; check the official website for prices. The trip from Izmir takes about 2 hours by long-distance bus, and a full day is recommended.
Opening hours
Summer approx. 08:00–19:00; winter approx. 08:00–17:00 (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu)
- Bergama Archaeology Museum
- Asklepion of Pergamon
- Foça
- İzmir Wildlife Park
- İzmir Bay Ferry & Karşıyaka
- Gediz Delta Bird Sanctuary
- Alsancak & Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street