Ancient Greek City of Perge
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Port
Antalya, Turkey
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$160
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Ancient Perge and Antalya’s Archaeological Museum are excellent sites for understanding the lifestyle of early civilization in Turkey. Perge was an important city in Asia Minor, settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. The Kestros River, which runs near the acropolis, made Perge like a port town because it was possible to navigate inland from the sea to the city. Thus, an important trade route starting from Side ran through the nearby city of Aspendos and then to Perge. Saint Paul visited Perge in AD 46 and preached his first sermon here; so it became an important city for the Christians during Byzantine period. Perge flourished under the Seleucid kings, when the city was fortified for the fist time. In the city you will see the Roman Gate on the outer wall, the baths complex located in the west courtyard, and an interesting horseshoe-shaped courtyard. See the marketplace that was surrounded by shops and continue to the Antalya Archeological Museum, one of Turkey's largest museums. It includes 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery covering an area of 75,000 square feet, with 5,000 works of art on display. A nomad’s tent and several rooms from a typical Ottoman household showcase the lifestyles of the region. Statues of the Greek gods and the Emperors Hadrian and Septius Serverus and their mistresses are held in the Classic Hall. A stunning mosaic from Xanthos depicts the infant Achilles being dangled by his mother over the River Styx. Other exhibits include Stone Age relics from the Karain Caves and a comprehensive ethnographical collection. The Antalya Museum is one of the most important museums in Turkey because it perfectly illuminates the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.