"Pergamon" Top 5 Page for this destination Bergama by KIZGINdamdakiKedi

Bergama Travel Guide: 177 reviews and 605 photos

Bergama

Bergama which is a district of Izmir, is situated on the north side of the plateau which the Bakircay flows, on the ridge of a peak which is 300 meters height. It is 25-35 kilometers further than the Agean sea and The Candarli Bay. It’s today’s name com es from its ancient name ‘’Pergamon’’. It was an important center due to its wonderful monuments of the First Age, its strategic position of the Medival Age besides it was a center of a big Kingdom, Karesiogullari and lastly Ottoman Empire.

The foundation date is not known exactly but the city walls were built in 7 B.C. and it started to become urbanized according to the informations which were gotten from the archeological excavations. Its name was heard in the Anabasis of Ksenofon (355-35 2 B.C.) among the historical statements for the first time. According to the knowledges in these statements in 547 B.C., Pergamon was in the hands of the Pers who invaded Anatolia and they settled an organization there. The city which was taken by Alexand er the Great in 334 B.C. was firstly taken by Frigya-Lykya King Autigonos and then taken by King of Trakya king Philaetairos after the Alexander the Great’s death. After Lysimakhos’ death Philaetoiros seperated from Trakya Kingdom and found a new autonom civilization which was tied to Selevkos Kingdom, (283 B.C.). This civilization was made wholly independant by F. Eumenes (263-241 B.C.), Pergamon after half an hour century continiued to be the cultural and the managerial center of the Kingdom which it ga ve its name to. It led its brilliant period during F. Attalos and his son. Various monuments such as acropolis and theatre were erected in the city. The city went to the hold of Roman rule with its glorious library, 120.000 population and parshomen paper that was produced from the leather which the city takes its name from. It became an important center of Asian province in Roman period.

Bergama

A lot of changes were made in Hadrianus period and the city was garnished with Roman structures. In the years that the Christianity was expanding, Pergamon was a center bisaopments that Byzantians tied to Ephesus and then it became a metropolitic.

The Turkish surges started in the 12th century. Although the Turk invaded the city in 1113 it lasted a short period. The city which went among the rule of Turks and Byzantians was a target for the Crusaders, for a certain period. In 1302 when the Byzanti an rule disappeared, the Karesioðullari took the control. Just after 1341 Pergamon was taken by Ottomans.

Pergamon which was a castle city surrounded by city walls at the top before, was surrounded in Attalos period twice, it was in the condition of being a big and a safety city and in the Roman period a panaroma of expanding to plateau was seen. It strored this physical feature when it came to Turks, besides it regained vividness and it grew as an Turk City. According to the archive records a small factoryzof grape bozashop, candle small factory at least 350 shops which its incomes belong to some certain in stitutions, a bedesten, at least three inns, four Turkish Baths and a caravansarai were placed in the city. We can list the most clear structures which endured till today and errected in Ottomans period as below:

Ulu Mosque (XIV. Century), Cukurhan (XV. Century) ,Taþhan (1432) ,Bedesten (XV. Century), Kurþunlu Mosque (1435) , Haci Hakim Mosque (1508-1509) , Ansarli Mosque (1543) , Þadirvanli Mosque (1550), Selimiye Mosque (1890-1891).

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great place to visit ,especially for archeologist

Last visit to Bergama: Nov 2000
Intro Updated Jul 17, 2003
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Reviews (7)

Kilims ( a pileless of carpet) of Pergamon - Bergama

Kilims ( a pileless of carpet) of... Shopping (1)

if y ou go inside of Pergamon which is Old Pergamon.you can find any of them. Kilims of Pergamon, really beautiful and... more travel advice

The Theatre Things to Do (5)

The Pergamon Theatre was built on a steep slope and is one of the most elegant architectural constructions of the... more travel advice

The Library Things to Do (5)

The attached errection that in the North of Athena sanctified region are ruins of the famous Pergamon Library. The... more travel advice

THE GYMNASIUMS Things to Do (5)

The city of Pergamon had a splendid Gymnasium that is found on top of each other on three separate terraces. It is know... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
bus to Pergamon From Izmir

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Comments (11)

goga4444 Sep 9, 2005 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

Cool and usefull page, I ve been there and I like it very much.
VinTolucci Mar 6, 2005 at 7:42 AM Report Abuse

Hello! Thanks for the excellent information. I really enjoyed your pics and am looking forward to Italy since I have family over there.
Paul2001 Dec 21, 2004 at 5:04 PM Report Abuse

Good page on this most wonderful of archeological sites. Bergama rates a close second to Ephesus as my favourite archeological site in Turkey.
ettenaj Dec 10, 2004 at 11:23 AM Report Abuse

You have done a great job here on your Bergama page, well done
dr.firas Aug 4, 2004 at 3:47 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful page and city, I like the theatre so much! wonderful efforts Esra dear :-)
MalenaN Jan 10, 2004 at 12:26 AM Report Abuse

Excellent info and pictures! Bergama is a nice town!
aliante1981 Sep 1, 2003 at 3:28 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for providing great insight into a wonderful place!
vesna04 Aug 22, 2003 at 7:24 AM Report Abuse

excellent page :)
sandysmith Jul 31, 2003 at 12:13 AM Report Abuse

lovely page, far too long since i was here!
Yiannis2000 Jul 24, 2003 at 4:24 AM Report Abuse

we loved this little turkish town, embracing with so much ancient history... I learnt to play okey there!!!