Ephesus Tours
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Private Day Tours
    • Istanbul Tours
      • Full Day Bosphorus Tours
      • Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show
      • Half Day Classical Istanbul Tours
      • Full Day Private Istanbul Tours
      • Half Day Topkapi Palace Tours
      • Half Day Dolmabahce Palace Tours
      • Half Day Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tours
      • Istanbul Tours for Disabled
      • Half Day Istanbul Archeology Tours
      • Jewish Heritage Tours in Istanbul
      • Istanbul Shopping Tours
    • Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Izmir Port
      • Half Day Ephesus Tours
      • Full Day Ephesus Tours
      • Deluxe Half Day Ephesus Tours
      • Deluxe Full Day Ephesus Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Istanbul
      • Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tours
      • Ephesus Tours for Disabled
      • Ephesus and Terrace Houses Tours
      • Ephesus and Kirazli Village Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Cappadocia
      • Ephesus Tours From Antalya
      • Tandem Sky Diving at Ephesus
      • Microflight Tour Over Ephesus
      • Ephesus and Sirince Village Tours
      • Ephesus Tours From Kusadasi
      • Taxi from Kusadasi port to Ephesus
      • We Guarantee the Lowest Price on Private Ephesus Tours!
    • Cappadocia Tours
      • Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours
      • North Cappadocia Tours and Goreme Museum
      • South Cappadocia and Kaymakli Underground City Tours
      • Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Cappadocia
      • Turkish Night Entertainment Show in Cappadocia
      • Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul
      • Cappadocia Turkish Bath (Hammam)
      • Cappadocia Horse Riding Tours
      • Cappadocia Trekking Tours
      • Nemrut Tours From Cappadocia
      • Cappadocia Mountain Biking Tours
      • Ihlara Canyon and Derinkuyu Underground City tours
    • Biblical Tours in Turkey
      • In The Footsteps of St Paul
      • Seven Churches of Revelation Tours
      • Jewish Heritage Tour in Turkey
      • Seven Churches and St. Nicholas
      • Early Churches of St. Paul and St. John
      • Seven Churches and Cave of Abraham
  • Private DMC
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
Ephesus Tours Istanbul Tours Cappadocia Tours Biblical Tours Kusadasi Transfers

Assos Behramkale

Home → Biblical Sites in Turkey → Assos Behramkale

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
please wait...
Rating: 5.0/5 (1679 votes cast)

Assos also known as Behramkale, is a small historically rich town in the Ayvacık district of the Çanakkale Province, Turkey.

After leaving the Platonic Academy in Athens, Aristotle (joined by Xenocrates) went to Assos, where he was welcomed by King Hermias, and opened an Academy in this city. Aristotle also married Pythias, the adopted daughter of Hermias. In the Academy of Assos, Aristotle became a chief to a group of philosophers, and together with them, he made innovative observations on zoology and biology. When the Persians attacked Assos, King Hermias was caught and put to death.  Aristotle fled to Macedonia, which was ruled by his friend King Philip II of Macedon. There, he tutored Philip’s son, Alexander the Great.

There is a modern statue of Aristotle at the town entrance.

Assos was also visited by St. Paul. Today, Assos is an Aegean-coast seaside retreat amid ancient ruins. The town is on the southern side of Biga Peninsula, better known by its ancient name, Troad. The town is located on the coast of the Adramyttian Gulf.

It is possible to see much of the surrounding area from the ancient Temple of Athena, built on top of a trachyte crag. From this temple, it is possible on a clear day to see nearby Lesbos in the south, Pergamon in the southeast, and Mount Ida of Phrygia in the east. To the north, the Tuzla River flows. To the northwest, there is the gate to the city of two massive Hellenic columns that still exist today.

Assos had a harbour, which was the only good harbour on the 80 kilometres (50 mi) of the north coast of the Adramyttian Gulf. This made Assos a key shipping station through the Troad.

The city was founded from 1000 to 900 BC by Aeolian colonists from Lesbos, who specifically are said to have come from Methymna. The settlers built a Doric Temple to Athena on top of the crag in 530 BC. [not in citation given From this temple Hermias of Atarneus, a student of Plato, ruled Assos, the Troad and Lesbos for a period of time, under which the city experienced its greatest prosperity. (Strangely, Hermias was actually the slave of the ruler of Atarneus.) Under his rule, he encouraged philosophers to move to the city. As part of this, in 348 BC Aristotle came here and married King Hermeias’s niece, Pythia, before leaving for Lesbos three years later in 345 BC. This ‘golden period’ of Assos ended several years later when the Persians arrived, and subsequently tortured Hermias to death.

The Persians were driven out by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Between 241 and 133 BC, the city was ruled by the Kings of Pergamon. However, in 133 BC, the Pergamons lost control of the city as it was absorbed by the Roman empire.

The Ancient Theatre of Assos.

The Ancient Theatre of Assos.

St. Paul also visited the city during his third missionary journey through Asia Minor, which was between 53-57 AD, on his way to Lesbos. From this period onwards, Assos shrunk to a small village, as it has remained ever since. Ruins around Assos continue to be excavated.

The pillars from the ancient port lay in the harbor for over a millennia. Eventually they were probably sold.

In the early 1900s an attempt was made to move the contents of the Temple of Athena. Much of the art has been moved to museums like the Louvre. The art found includes pictures both of mythical creatures and heraldic events.

Many of the old buildings of Assos are in ruins today, but Behramkale (the city’s modern name) is still active. It still serves as a port for Troad. On the acropolis 238 m above sea level are the remains of the Doric order Temple of Athena, which date back to 530 BC. Six of the original 38 columns remain. West of the acropolis stands the well preserved 4th century BC city wall and main gate with 14 meter high towers. An ancient paved road leads Northeast through the gate to ruins of a large 2nd-century BC gymnasium, a 2nd-century BC agora and an bouleuterion. Further south toward the ocean is a 3rd-century BC theatre built for 5,000 spectators.

Down the steep seaward side of the hill at the water’s edge is the hamlet called Iskele (meaning Dock or Wharf), with old stone houses now serving as inns, pensions and restaurants.

Ruins of the Temple of Athena in Assos.

Ruins of the Temple of Athena in Assos.

There is a small pebbly beach. There are boat tours and tours of the hamlet itself. Although the narrow road to the hamlet is steep with sheer drops, the sea front has a constant stream of cars and minibuses arriving from dawn to dusk.

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +1880 (from 1880 votes)
Assos Behramkale, 100% based on 1880 ratings
By Zeus on September 23, 1999   /   Biblical Sites in Turkey   /   6 Comments
Tags: Aso, Assos, Behramkale, Misia, σσος, 아소스
6 Reviews
  1. SrcnPrtk
    10:09 am on July 24, 2000

    One of the amazing views in Turkey. You should visit if you want to travel back in time and to understand the reason behind why this temple is built for Athena. Do not miss incredible sunset and try to persuade museum employees to let you take a glass of wine since the government has banned this opportunity.

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  2. chris19531955
    3:44 am on August 12, 2000

    The ruins are not extensive like at Ephesus or Bergama but the views across the Aegean to Lesbos are magnificent. Bring your camera!

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  3. Dickd1946
    5:17 am on January 26, 2001

    The views and vistas from within the ancient remnants of this Temple honouring Athena was special. Looking out over the coastline on a beautiful sunshiny day was fantabulous. The foresight they had in picking this location was impeccable. Even met a few friendly lizards.Your imagination can be maximized here and is well worth the trip. Imagine what it used to…

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  4. Chili LR
    4:26 pm on May 8, 2002

    Pleasant walk and climb around these ruins with a stunning backdrop. Very close to beautifully rustic village.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  5. abercrb
    1:27 am on September 30, 2004

    The Akropolis of the Temple of Athena is, obviously, right at the highest point of the bay of Assos in Turkey. You can get quite a lot of the way up by car or walk up the cobbled streets with markets stalls on all sides.
    It is nice to go late in the afternoon in the hope of seeing the…

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
  6. Leanne284
    1:09 pm on December 6, 2010

    Pleasant walk/climb around these ruins with a stunning backdrop. Very close to a wonderful hotel, Assos Nar Konak, and situated in a beautifully rustic village.

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    please wait...
    Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)
    Reply
Add New Reviews
Click here to cancel reply.

Travel Turkey / Blog

  • Ancient Cities of Turkey
  • Biblical Sites in Turkey
  • Biblical Turkey
  • Byzantine & Ottoman Relics
  • Cappadocia
  • Churches in Turkey
  • Cities in Turkey
  • Gallipoli
  • Istanbul
  • Map of Turkey
  • Mosques in Turkey
  • Must-See Places in Turkey
  • Turkey Travel Blogs
ephesus tours

The big tip is to try and go completely private. Many of the large tour companies offer private tour and they are going to charge a significant amount of money for the tour guide. However, many locations offer self-guided tours and therefore you have the ability to supply your own tour guide. Easily Book your guided private Ephesus tours, to see all the treasures of Ephesus Turkey. It's often said that Turkey has more ancient cities and classical ruins than does Greece. Well, it's true, and the Aegean coast holds a great number of sites, including Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved of them all.

ephesustoursguide.com © 2013-2017 All Rights Reserved
Back to Top