Assos Ancient City Assos is an ancient settlement perched on a rugged hill overlooking the Aegean Sea. To the north of this historic site flows the Tuzla River, which was known in antiquity as Satnoieis. Today, the ruins of this classical city can be found in the present-day Turkish village and tourist destination of Behramkale. Assos was originally established during the 1st millennium BCE by colonists from the nearby island of Lesbos, now part of modern Greece. The city flourished in the 4th century BCE under the leadership of Hermeias, a disciple of Plato, who ruled not only Assos but much of the Troad peninsula. In 348 BCE, the philosopher Aristotle arrived in Assos and opened an academy where he taught for three years. In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great, the renowned pupil of Aristotle, drove out the Persian forces from Assos. Afterwards, the city came under the nominal control of his successors. Between 241 and 133 BCE, Assos was governed by the Kingdom of Pergamon. It was later incorporated into the Roman Empire, eventually gaining significance as a religious site connected to Saint Paul around 55 AD. As described in the Bible, just prior to embarking on his third missionary voyage to Jerusalem, Saint Paul journeyed alone from Alexandria Troas to Assos, guided solely by the Holy Spirit. This act reflects the message of John 14:18, “The Spirit gives life; physical things do not. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their fleshly selves.” Upon reaching Assos, he reunited with his companions and set sail for Lesbos. Situated along the Aegean coastline in western Anatolia, Assos boasts a long and vibrant history. The city embraced Christianity in the 5th century AD and became a bishopric, maintaining this status until the 14th century. During the Byzantine period, it continued to thrive as a key regional hub for both local and international trade. During the Byzantine era, the city was known as Machram, and it is widely believed that the modern name Behramkale is derived from this earlier form. The region came under the control of the Turks in the early 14th century. Despite the change in rule, the harbor remained a significant center for trading the bark of Valonea oaks up until the 18th century. Access to the archaeological site requires visitors to ascend past the mosque atop the hill in Behramkale and pay a small entry fee. Following the path along the ancient Roman walls and passing a modest cistern, one reaches the 118-meter-high acropolis. Here stand the remains of a Doric-order Athena temple, measuring 14 by 30 meters, which dates back to 530 BCE. Only 6 of its original 38 columns still stand. The acropolis is protected by a 14-meter-high city wall and entrance gate, along with towers from the 4th century BCE that remain well-preserved. Beyond the entrance gate, visitors will find an ancient stone-paved road that leads to a spacious gymnasium measuring 52 by 52 meters, dating back to the 2nd century BCE. Heading northeast from there are the remains of a church from the 5th to 6th centuries. Continuing along the path, one encounters another historic structure featuring Hellenistic-era shops and two-storey columns in the Doric style. Further along the lower road lies the ancient bouleuterion, a 21 by 21-meter assembly building, followed by a Greek theatre built in the 3rd century BCE that could accommodate up to 5,000 viewers. Just outside the city’s defensive walls extends a vast necropolis filled with numerous tombs from the Greco-Roman period, some of which date back as early as 1000 BCE. If you have any questions or need more information about the Assos Ancient City, feel free to get in touch by emailing us at [email protected] or simply send us a message via WhatsApp. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.