ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF PERGAMON

Very extensive, it requires a long visit. The old part of the city, near Kızıl Avlu, is very endearing.

The acropolis is perched on top of a rocky hill overlooking the modern city of Bergama, 5 kilometers from the museum. It is best to take a cab. As you enter, on the left you can see the Heroon, a temple in honor of the rulers of Pergamon. A path leads to the site of the sanctuary of Zeus, in an idyllic environment. Eumenes II had it built in 180 BC to commemorate the victory of his father against the Galatians. The building is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, only the base of the sanctuary is visible, all the rest was transferred to Berlin. Behind it was a temple of Athena. Continuing north, you reach the library and the temple of Trajan. From the temple of Athena, steps lead to the Hellenistic theater, which, clinging to the side of the acropolis, is particularly impressive. Provided with a mobile wooden stage, it could contain 10 000 people. To the south of the sanctuary of Zeus is the temple of Demeter, the oldest building on the site (^3rd century B.C.) and next to it, the gymnasium. From the hill of the acropolis you can clearly see the ancient aqueduct.

Asclepion. To reach the Asclepion, dedicated to Asclepius, god of medicine, take a path west of the modern city. Attention, photos are forbidden, the building is near a military zone. The Asclepion was founded by Archias, a citizen of the city who had been cured at the Asclepion of Epidaurus. But the medical school of Pergamon became famous in the ^2nd century A.D. thanks to Galen who researched the functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems. His work is fundamental for the history of medicine. Thermal baths, massages and herbal teas were prescribed to the sick in Pergamon, as well as psychological cures. The Asclepion was also frequented by philosophers. The present remains date for the most part from the time of Hadrian (^2nd century). The snake that you see engraved in several buildings is the symbol of Asclepios. Following the Sacred Way, you arrive at the temple of Asclepius, a circular construction, at the library and at a small Roman theater of 3 500 seats. After the sacred fountain, an underground passage leads to the temple of Telesphorus.