Perge

From Turkey Travel Guide

[edit] History

Perge, or Perga, was one of the four great cities of Ancient Greek Anatolia (the others being Sillyon, Aspendos and Side. It was founded 20 km inland in 1000 BC as a precaution against pirate bands that attacked coastal cities. The city was taken in 546 BC by the Persians. When the armies of Alexander the Great approached in 333 BC, the city dispatched guides to lead them to the city and end Persian rule. Rule by the Seleucids followed, when the renowned mathematician Apollonius lived and worked. The city lasted through the Roman and Seljuk eras before entering a gradual decline.

[edit] Visitor's Guide

Entering from the highway, a path goes directly between the stadium and theater. To explore the stadium, follow the path to your right. Admittance isn't required for these sections. Past the parking lot is the ticket booth, across from the tomb of Plancia Magna, a prominent woman considered a second "founder" of the city.

Pass through the city wall and on the right is the Eastern Basilica, and on the left the Southern Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain of which only the statue bases remain. Following the path will take you to the Triumphal Gate, the remains of two defense towers built when the city was under Roman Protection. The city grew beyond these walls, but the gate was retained as a decorative feature.

Left of the gate is Propylaeum and the Southern Baths. The three halls of the baths, frigidarium (cold), tepidarium (medium), and calidarium (hot), are still visible, along with the courtyards and porticoes. The halls were once decorated with statues, now displayed in the Antalya Archeology Museum. The statues' genitals have been vandalized, likely by early Christians.

Many pillars still line the agora road that leads to a crossroads. Straight ahead is the Northern Nymphaeum, and beyond this is the Acropolis, of which little remains. There are more columns to the left and right, while the path on the left leads to the Palestra, or gym. South of the palestra are the southern baths.

Continuing on the path outside the walls leads to another colonnaded street. To explore the walls, continue south until you return to the stadium and theater. Plan to take at least 2-3 hours to visit the ruins.

[edit] Getting there

From Antalya, catch a bus to Aksu. Alight at the turn off to Perge, from which it is a 20-30 minute walk to the ruins.

It is also possible to negotiate a taxi tour of Perge and Aspendos for about 100 lira.

[edit] Eat & Drink

There are a few basic cafes on the road between Aksu and Perge. They grow rarer as you get closer, so be sure to bring whatever you need for the time at the site.

[edit] External links