Pergamon Ancient CityPlaces to Visit in Izmir

Pergamon, also known as Pergamum, was a prosperous and influential ancient city located in Mysia. Positioned about 26 kilometers from today’s Aegean Sea coast, northwest of Bergama, İzmir, the city center was built atop a large andesite plateau. Although the plateau slopes downward on all sides, it features three distinct levels, allowing access from the southern side. The Selinus River (now called Bergamaçay) runs along the western edge, while the Ketios River (modern Kestelçay) flows on the eastern side.

In the Hellenistic era, Pergamon held significant strategic and cultural importance. After 281 BC, it was established as the capital of Pergamum, and under the rule of the Attalid dynasty, it became a leading center of Greek culture in the region that is now Turkey. The archaeological remains, including what many regard as an outstanding architectural masterpiece, the Pergamon Altar, are still prominent today.

The Temple of Athena, the steepest Hellenistic theater, the library, the Great Altar of Pergamon, the Dionysus Temple, and the agora are among the remarkable sites of this ancient city. The local sculpture school created some of the most celebrated works of ancient art, considered wonders of their time. Pergamon continued to thrive as a hub of culture and science during the Roman period, boasting magnificent structures like the Sarapeion (Asclepius), the Temple of Trajan, theater, amphitheater, and aqueduct.

In 2014, the ancient city of Pergamon was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its exceptional universal value and cultural importance.

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