The Acropolis of Pergamon was the site of the world’s second largest ancient library (after the library at Alexandria, Egypt). Eumenes II loved collecting books, and his library is said to have contained 200,000 books. At one point the rivalry between Alexandria and Pergamon became so intense that Egypt cut off its supply of papyrus to the city. Not to be deterred, Eumenes II challenged his scientists to find a replacement, and they did–pergamen, which is known as parchment in English. Parchment was derived from animal hides rather than pressed papyrus seeds and was more durable and could be written on both sides.
The Temple of Trajan is one of the best preserved structures still remaining on the Pergamon Acropolis. It was restored by the German Archaeological Institute. Scientists from the Institute excavated the entire site over many years, and many of the best artifacts are now contained in the Pergamon Museum of Berlin, Germany. I thought the most interesting structure on the Acropolis was the 10,000-seat theater, which is built into the hillside of the Acropolis and is one of the steepest in the world.
Those fascinated by Roman ruins could easily spend several hours at the Acropolis, especially if the weather is favorable. Our group had plenty of time to walk all over the site before riding the cable car back down to board our bus and drive to the Asclepion.
During the 350 years following the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC) until Pergamon (also spelled Pergamum) became a province of the Roman Empire (129 AD), it was one of the richest and important cities of the Middle East. The city reached its high point during the reign of King Eumenes II (197-159 BC).
Today, visitors can explore the historical remains and significant archaeological excavations at the Pergamon Acropolis, Red Basilica, and at the Asclepion (hospital complex), all of which is in the Turkish province of Izmir and only 16 miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
Located in downtown road to the Acropolis, the Red Basilica was built in the second century BC and was once a temple to the Egyptian God Serapis. In the Book of Revelations in the Christian Bible, St. John the Divine identified this basilica as the throne of the devil and one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse.
The Acropolis is accessed via a cable car, which was built just a few years ago. Previously, buses and cars drove a winding road to the summit, but now visitors park, pay a fee, and ride the cable car to the top. Once you exit the cable car, there’s a cafe and a few shops.
Walking around the ancient site of this important city’s acropolis is quite interesting, and the views of the surrounding countryside, the old Roman aqueducts, Pergamon and Asclepion are terrific.
Looking up at the Temple of Trajan from Athena site
This white stone at Pergamum with names inscribed reminds of Jesus’ words.
This white stone at Pergamum with names inscribed reminds of Jesus’ words: “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Rev 2:12, 17).
Acropolis of Pergamon,
One of the main attraction at Bergama. This place is hard to reach by foot. Either you'll have to take the cable car up or drive all the way up. Parking was supposedly charged, but when i was there, there was no attendant in sight, so I did not pay for it. (PS: a tip; you can try bargaining down…
I should begin by saying that these are two separate sites in the same area.
First, there is the ancient acropolis of Pergamum, perched high on its hill, and reached these days by a Cable Car from the modern town of Bergama.
Second, there is the ancient healing centre of Asclepius (the Greek god of healing) on the plain below…
Very interesting site, Greek and Roman ruins. Not over restored and it was really good to escape the crowds after being in Ephesus
The ruins of Pergamon ("Bergama" in Turkish), the center of medicine in Ancient Roman times, is definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you have time after Ephesus. Both cities are mentioned in the Bible and give you an idea and feeling for how advanced a civilization existed in Ancient Rome, complete with running hot and cold water, luxurious baths,…
Take a short cable car ride up the mountain. This ruins is more extensive than Troy though lesser than Ephesus but the strong point is the thinner crowd. The Acropolis was thought to be modeled after the Acropolis of Athens but 'Acropolis' is a Greek word which simply means a city built in elevated ground.
Many of the notable ruins…
These were the first decent ruins I saw in Turkey (after Troy, which didn't rate…) I'm not sure if you can still drive up, but we ended up taking the cable car, which was an interesting touch. The ruins up the top were quiet (compared with our later visit to Ephesus).
It's well worth a visit, and Bergama is a…
Well , if u have been to the Pergamon Museum at Belin , u 'll know why most of the facade and artifacts have been shipped from Turkey to Germany… It must have been a fascinating city with grrek style theatres and temple's… Well the left over ruins at pergamon in Turkey is still worth a visit and the sights…
Bergama with the Acropolis is great. To go up and down the hill is very easy with the new gondola. You have to pay for the gondola and also for the site itself. On the top there is a great view! Also a very nice old site. You must take 2 hours to look around. In the town Bergame there…
If you've been to the Pargamun Museum in Berlin you know about Zeus' Altar. On the Acropolis you'll see from whence it was taken and the beauty and srama that surrpond it on the Acropolis itself, all all =round and below. Go a bit off season and at a time when the tours aren't present and you will have a…
Unfortunately, I did not get to visit either the Cable Car nor the Acropolis – even though I planned to and had a ticket. The rest of my tour group said the Cable Car ride was great, and after a hike – the Acropolis was outstanding. I was having some leg problems due to too much climbing on the trip….