Bergama (ancient Pergamum), 100 km (62 miles) north of İzmir and 250 km (155 miles) south of Çanakkale (map), was renowned in Hellenic and Roman times for its great library and as the medical center where Galen laid the foundation for medical practice.
Modern Bergama (BEHR-gah-mah, pop. 100,000) is a center for farming, light industry, schools, gold mining, and of course tourism. It's a l-o-n-g spread-out city. It's 7 km (4.35 miles) from the north-south highway and the bus terminal to the center of Bergama around the Bergama Müzesi (archeological museum), so you may have to take a taxi from the bus terminal to your hotel. From the museum, it's another 5.35 km (3.3 miles) to the summit of the lofty Acropolis.
Guided tours are available from İzmir, or you can visit Bergama on a 6-day Self-Guided Driving Tour from Istanbul.
Most travelers visit Bergama on day-trips from İzmir or Ayvalık, or stop to see the sights on their itinerary between Çanakkale or Assos and Ephesus, but Bergama does have a few suitable hotels if you decide to spend the night here.
The Acropolis of Pergamon towers 1,000 feet above the modern city, notable for having one of the most dramatically steep theaters of the ancient world, carved right into the mountainside. The theater could seat 10,000 people and provides stunning views over the valley below. Though the famous Pergamon Altar was moved to Berlin, you can still see impressive remains of the Temple of Trajan and the sanctuary of Athena.
The Red Hall Basilica (Kızıl Avlu), a massive Roman temple later converted into a Byzantine church, stands right in the middle of modern Bergama. This enormous red-brick building was originally dedicated to Egyptian gods and is particularly impressive for its scale - its walls still tower over the surrounding streets. One of its side towers now serves as a mosque, showing how the site has evolved over centuries.
The Asclepion, located on the outskirts of Bergama, was one of the ancient world's most renowned medical centers, dedicated to the god of healing. Here you can walk through a well-preserved sacred tunnel where healing rituals took place, see the remains of the temple, and explore the foundations of what was once a medical treatment complex complete with sleeping halls, treatment rooms, and a theater used for therapeutic performances.
Visiting Information
Pergamon is open 8:30-5:30pm and the Red Hall Basilica is open daily 8a-8pm (ticket offices close 30 minutes prior). The Asklepion is open 8:30am-5pm.
Entrance to the Acropolis Archaeological Site (Pergamon) is 15 Euros. The Red Hall Basilica entrance ticket is 3 Euros. The Asklepion entrance ticket is 13 Euros.
Museum passes, such as all of Turkey (165 Euros) and Aegean region (95 Euros) are also available for purchase. The Muzekart for residents & citizens of Turkey is also accepted here.
If visiting in the summer it can be quite hot and there is very limited shade at the Pergamon Acropolis. There are some cafes and souvenir shops outside the entrance. Be sure to take plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes.
Transportation
Bus is the best way of getting to Bergama. The town is long and spread out, so if you don't have your own vehicle, expect to take some taxi rides.
If driving from Izmir, you can arrive within ~90 minutes, depending on traffic. There is a nominal fee for parking at the Acropolis Archaeological Site (Pergamon). Driving in Bergama is fairly easy, but the streets are narrow and the road to Pergamon is rather bumpy. Keep an eye out for sheep and goats that may be crossing the road.
There's also a cable car (teleferik) that runs from the base of the mountain to the entrance of Pergamon.
Read more about transportation to and from Bergama.
History
Pergamum (or Pergamon) was an important kingdom during the second century BC, having grown from a city-state captured by Alexander the Great.
Upon Alexander's death in 323 BC, his generals fought for control of the parts of his empire. Lysimachus took command of the Aegean coast, but was killed in 281 BC, leaving Pergamum in the control of Philetarus the Eunuch, who used Lysimachus's treasure to increase his power.
Philetarus's nephew and heirs built on their inheritance, and Eumenes II (197-159 BC), King of Pergamum, became the most powerful ruler in Anatolia. He beautified his capital city by building the Altar of Zeus, by constructing numerous buildings in the "middle city" on the slope of the Acropolis, and by expanding and beautifying the Asclepion medical center. More...
Eumenes II's son Attalus III was not his father's equal. Pergamum's power declined, and on Attalus's death in 129 BC, the Kingdom of Pergamum was willed to Rome and became its Province of Asia (Minor).
Roman Pergamum was still a rich, important city. Some of its most important monuments, such as the Temple of Trajan, date from Roman times.
—Tom Brosnahan, updated by Kimberly Price
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