Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Temple ruins in Bergama, Turkey
At first, we hadn't even planned on stopping at the town of Bergama, located about 100 miles north of Izmir, Turkey.

But Jason noticed the ancient city of Pergamum was located here. Hooray - more ancient ruins to see! So we took a short detour off on our planned route along the Aegean Coast to explore.

The pictured Temple of Athena, located at the top of a 984-foot-tall hill, dates to the time of Eumenes II (197-159 B.C.). Although only the main foundation and restored marble columns remain, the temple was probably constructed, using the Acropolis of Athens as a model in the earliest days of the Pergamene kingdom. More of the temple remains can be found in the Berlin Museum, unfortunately.

The whole site is well worth a look if you are in the area. But I think we are getting a bit spoiled by the ancient ruins we've seen in Turkey as the ones in Aphrodisias still remain my favorite!

Iyi bayramlar!

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2 comments:

Erica (Irene) said...

I've been to Bergama a million times...my husband was born there and still has some property there so we visit when we come to Izmir. he actually can't sell his property (he inherited from a great grandfather) b/c there are some artifacts they found (gov't) when Cleo was there so it sits. All he does is just pay taxes on it.... great photo's.

Joy said...

@Erica (Irene), Thank you! What an interesting family story! I have to imagine there are ruins nearly everywhere in Turkey if you dig down under the surface enough. ;-) Too bad he has to pay taxes on it though.