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,
To stand amongst the ruins of Pergamon, looking down at the amazing theatre, which almost cascades down the side of the mountain like a stone waterfall, is a sight that will live with me.
Maybe the ruins aren't as impressive as the Acropolis of Athens, but they have their own beauty and charm.
What is amazing are the feats of…
I'm into natural healing methods so when I got to the illustrious ancient rich city of Pergamon, I was delighted to learn about the "lower" Pergamon and its famed Health spa, Asklepieion. The upper Pergamon (or Eagles' Nest as Alexander the Great named it) due to it amazing view was connected to the 'lower" Pergamon by a sacred way lined…
Both the Acropolis and the Asklepieon can be done in one day. Do the Acropolis in the morning and try to go early as there is not much cover at the top of the mountain. The site is breathtaking, with great views on the town and a lake on the other side. Make sure to walk down the mountain as…
The acropolis of Pergamon (take the cable car up) has the ruins of the famous library and steepest theatre. It is beautiful up there but the Asclepion is really interesting. The Asclepion was an ancient medical center that was founded by Archias, a local who had been cured at the Asclepion of Epidaurus (Greece). galen studied here and you can…
A guided tour highly recommended. Funicular ride offers spectacular views. Crowds were absent, which made the visit even more pleasant.
Here Galen practiced medicine. Very historical although it's a shame that much of the structure has been taken to be resurrected in western Museums. A beautiful spring day to reflect on the healing arts.
Next we drove our rental car to the Acropollis. Low gear almost needed. Fantastic vistas
If I were a sick person back in the day I definitely would have wanted to nine treated at the Asklepieion!
The funicular has made access to this splendid site much easier. We were advised to take the funicular up and then walk down so as to not miss out on the theatre and other aspects on the lower slopes. It was good advice! Unfortunately, both the museum in the site and the main museum in the town were closed the…
I loved it, it's so much better than Efes, since not so many tourists are coming here. Great sunset, try to walk and then hitchhike up the mountain, it's great to stroll through the village
This is a late review. I visited July 2010 (unfortunately, I can only go as far as Feb 11 in the date). I specifically made sure to visit Bergama after seeing the Pergamom museum in Berlin, which was awe-inspiring. It was a marvelous experience to visit where the Germans took all of those artificacts from. Back in 2010, the cable…