Bergama (Pergamum)
The Acropolis of ancient Pergamum.
Photo © Helen Betts.
Built on a conical hill rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding valley, Pergamum (also spelled Pergamon) was an important capital city in ancient times. Its Greek name means "citadel." The modern city of Bergama is the successor of ancient Pergamum.
A lack of modern accommodations means that Bergama is often a very quick stop, if visitors bother to come at all. But it is well worth a long stop, for Bergama is home to two of the country's most celebrated archaeological sites: the Acropolis and the Asklepion of ancient Pergamum, both listed among the top 100 historical sites on the Mediterranean.
Most of the extraordinary buildings and monuments in Bergama date to the time of Eumenes II (197-159 BC), including the famed library, the terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, the Altar of Zeus, and the propylaeum of the Temple of Athena. In the early Christian era, Pergamum's church was a major center of Christianity and was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2:12-17).
The ancient city is composed of three main parts: the Acropolis, whose main function was social and cultural as much as it was sacred; the Lower City, realm of the lower classes; and the Asklepion, one of the earliest medical centers on record.
City Guide & Trip Planning
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Sacred Sites & Religious Places
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Altar of Zeus
This monumental altar was constructed by Eumenes II (197-159 BC) as a memorial of his victory against the Galatians. All but the foundations are now in Berlin. |
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Archaeological Museum
This museum has several interesting artifacts from ancient Pergamum that help bring the sites to life. There is even a faithful replica of Zeus' Altar. |
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Asklepion
The 2nd-century Asklepion was a famed ancient medical center dedicated to Asklepius, the god of healing. |
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Red Basilica
This huge brick edifice was built in the 2nd century as a Roman temple to the god Serapis and later converted into a Byzantine church. |
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