Pergamon was a large ancient city. This view of the Acropolis (hilltop city/temple/fort is taken from near the Asklepion (a residential healing center, precursor to the modern hospital). There used to be a straight road between them, for patients from the hilltop city to come for treatment.
There is a lot to see in Pergamon. With just a half day, we limited ourselves to the Acropolis and the Asklepion.
Time line of Pergamon history.
Looking over the city of Bergama from the Acropolis of Pergamon
Looking up to the main temple on the Acropolis.
Fortifications on the southwest of the Acropolis.
Arches along the southwest of the Acropolis, just below the main temple.
And looking back through the arches.
Bill looks over the large amphitheatre towards the city of Bergama.
Poppies and thistles near the top of the Acropolis at Pergamon
Trajan's temple on the Acropolis, a Roman extension of the earlier Greek buildings.
Some columns have been reconstructed
Looking up at the capitals, using the lintel to hide the sun.
Decoration on the column capitals and lintel.
Typical postcard view of Trajan's temple.
Columns of Trajan's temple, near the top of the Acropolis at Pergamon.
View from near the top of the Acropolis at Pergamon.
Another view of Trajan's temple.
Ruins of royal accommodations on the Acropolis.
Looking down on the enormous amphitheatre. The light-colored ruins just across the seats is he Temple of Dionysus where the actors prayed before performing.
And looking back up from the Theatre to the top of the hill.
Thistles and view from the Acropolis at Pergamon.
That's a donkey under the bales of hay!
As the road approached the Asklepion, it became a colonnade.
He is selling honey, pine-nuts, dried flowers, and pine-cones.
Column at the Asklepion
This tunnel led from sleeping quarters to an area where treatments were given, bathing in water from a spring still running and using the sun.
Part of the healing area.
And another view in the healing area.
The Asklepion also had a theatre. Today it had been used for an event associated with a conference of psychotherapists.
Seats in the theatre at the Asklepion
Pillar with inscription, in Greek.
This is where the road from the Acropolis reached the Asklepion.
View from Asklepion colonnade up to Acropolis.
This view of the Acropolis shows how extensive the hilltop site was. We only visited the top section.
