The great strategic value of Pergamon, 6-h private excursion

Pergamon (today Bergama) is located in the Anatolia region, approximately 25 kilometers from the Aegean Sea, Izmir Province of Turkey. Pergamon had a great strategic value, since it overlooked the Caicus River Valley, in present-day Bakırçay, which provided access to the Aegean coast. The city reached the height of its influence during the Hellenistic period and became the capital of the Attalid kings. During the Roman age, the city was the first capital of the Asian province, but the city lost this status to a local rival, Ephesus.

Itinerary: Acropolis and Asklepion

Highlights of The great strategic value of Pergamon, 6-h private excursion

• Private tour approx 6 hours from Izmir
• Discover Pergamon Ancient City
• Visit the Acropolis and the Asklepion
• Specially designed for cruise passengers, Transfer from/to the port
• English-speaking tour guide

Description of the tour

Our guide will meet you at your cruise ship port and will drive to Pergamon, home of the Acropolis and Asklepion. Both are listed among the most top important 100 historical sites in the Mediterranean.

Pergamos; a glorious and rich city of Teuthrania province of Mysia, in Asia Minor, and the capital of the Kingdom. Built on a small hill 300 m., (From which it took its name, which means fortress or citadel), in a fertile valley that stretched to West, to the shores of the gulf oil (pt. Tsantarli) and the Adramyttium against the island. The town was located between the two tributaries Kaikos, Selinus and Kitiou which gives the city a rich valley.

Pergamon was an important capital city in ancient times. The city’s history begins in the early 4thcenturyBC and Alexander, the Great’s campaign was not particularly important. During the campaign, it became one of the most important cities of Mysia.

In 293 BC King Lysimachus secured the fort hill treasures and assigned to General of Philetaerus to guard them. Philetaerus, after the death of Lysimachus and 9,000 talents of treasures, a huge sum for its time, founded the small state of Pergamon, who kept it until his death. Attalus A’, the descendant, used most of the treasure to embellish and Pergamon Eumenes II, his successor, built a number of temples and public buildings and among them the altar of Pergamon.

Pergamon by the Romans

The Pergamon was conquered by the Romans and became the biggest commercial, political and military center of the Roman province of Asia. The library was the largest in the world, but Anthony gave her books to the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. Pergamon flourished and the famous doctor of ancient times Galen. After the revolution of Pergamon against the Romans (88) and the revolution of Macrinus, the assassin of Caracalla (117), Pergamum was stripped of the most remarkable monuments of art, which were transferred to Rome. In the 7th century it became a Byzantine province, and in 1401 was completely destroyed by Tamerlane and stayed for a century deserted and uninhabited until 1450 the Turks rebuilt the city at the foot of the hill.

Some of the most fantastic buildings and monuments in Pergamon date to the time of Eumenes the 2nd, including the terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, the Altar of Zeus, and the Temple of Athena.

The Asklepion was one of the earliest medical centers on record and the hometown of Galen, who was known to be the physician of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Today the city is called Bergama and it has 55.000 inhabitants.

Drive back to your cruise ship port where our private shore excursion ends, the same way.

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Tour Type

• Shore Excursion
• Private tour
• Activity level: Moderate

Included in the tour

• Entrance fees
• Professional English speaking guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Non-Smoking, air conditioned vehicle and professional driver
• Pick-up from and return to the hotel
• Pick-up from/to the Port
• Road tolls and local taxes

Excluded from the tour

• Lunch
• Any Drinks
• Tip to Guide and Driver

Additional info

• Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
• Terms & Conditions & F.A.Q
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
• This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.

Persons with Disabilities

• Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
• In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen.