In the 150-year history of the Kingdom of Pergamon, its borders extended from the Marmara Sea coast to the Mediterranean. Eumenes II (197 – 159 BC), on the other hand, took the Athens Acropolis as an example and wanted Pergamon to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world in the Hellenistic Period. For this reason, the importance given to culture and art by the Kings of Pergamon enabled the most important architecture and sculpture works in the area.

Acropolis

The word “acropolis” means “city above” in Ancient Greek. On the other hand, Pergamon Acropolis is called the “castle hill” by the public and is located just above Bergama city center.

City and Castle Walls

The walls of Pergamon began to be built on the highest point of the city in the 5th and 4th centuries BC before the kingdom was established here. During the period of II Eumenes, the city walls were enlarged to include the surrounding plains. In the 3rd century AD (after the Roman Empire’s weakening), the city was gradually taken inside, and smaller walls were built with re-used stones. The walls built on Kale Hill were also used as fortresses during the Ottoman and Seljuk periods.

Temple of Athena

The Temple of Athena (Sacred Site), the oldest known temple of Pergamon, was built in the 3rd century BC. Although it was built for Athena, the goddess of intelligence and peace, the inner sanctuary was also dedicated to Zeus, the God of Gods.

There are 6 columns on the front and rear façade of the Temple of Athena and 10 columns on the sides, and its crepe consists of 2 steps. In other words, the temple stands on a floor consisting of 2 steps. In the temple, which was first built by carving rocks, it was used with andesite stones over time and it was further strengthened.

The Temple of Athena is located 7 meters below the Traian Temple, but today it is almost nowhere to be seen.

Library Ruins

The Pergamon Library, built during the reign of II Eumenes, was once the library with the most books in the world due to the strengthening of the Kingdom of Pergamon and the importance given to art. There is a reading room to the east of the building, consisting of 2 floors and two parallel buildings, and the Temple of Athena right next to it.

When the number of books in Pergamon exceeded 200 thousand, the Kingdom of Egypt stopped sending “Papyrus” to Pergamon, which was used as a paper at that time. The aim of this is to put this title of the Library of Alexandria, which had the most books in the world at that time, in danger. However, Pergamon, who wanted to develop in art, overcame this problem and discovered the Parchment to be used for centuries. Parchment, made by drying animal skin, is the best quality material that can be written for that period and even today. Writings written on real parchment can remain like the first day for centuries.

Ancient Theatre

Another point of Pergamon that can be seen is the Antique Theater. Holding the title of “the steepest ancient theater” in the world, this theater has a capacity of 10 thousand people and consists of 3 separate sections. The theater, where various shows were exhibited at the time, was used for council meetings in the Roman period. There is also a temple dedicated to Dionysus, the god of entertainment, at the lowest level of the theater.