A day in Bergama: Acropolis, Asklepion and the Red Basilica

Bergama is a town about 115 to 120 km north of central İzmir. Ancient Pergamon lies in and above it, in three main parts: the Acropolis on the hill, the Red Basilica in the town and the Asklepion to the south-west. All three fit into one day. The Acropolis on the hill is the most tiring part.

Getting there from İzmir

Without a car, take the İZBAN suburban train north to Aliağa. ESHOT buses run from Aliağa station to Bergama; line 835 calls at the Bergama bus station and continues into the town centre. The train and the bus take the İzmirim Kart, not cash.

The Bergama bus station is about 7 km from the town centre, so stay on the bus into town. Drivers can use the car park at the Acropolis.

Morning: the Acropolis by cable car

The cable car opened in 2010 and is owned by Bergama Municipality. It runs about 700 m from a lower station in the town to the hilltop. The ticket office and the entrance are at the top, next to the upper station. The road up is about 3 km and steep.

Start with the upper city. The Temple of Trajan stands on the highest point. Below it, the Hellenistic theatre runs down the western slope; it held about 10,000 spectators and is called the steepest theatre of the ancient world. Then walk south and downhill through the lower city, past the terraces of the gymnasium. A gate in the lower agora leads out towards the town centre.

Midday: the Red Basilica

The Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu) is in the town, about 1 km south of the Acropolis. It was built in the 2nd century AD as a temple for Egyptian gods, most likely Isis or Serapis. In the early Byzantine period it became a church. Its tall red-brick walls still stand. It is within walking distance of the town centre, as is the Asklepion.

Afternoon: the Asklepion

The Asklepion was a healing sanctuary of the god Asclepius, about 3 km south-west of the Acropolis. It was founded in the 4th century BC. Most of the visible remains date from the reign of Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. The physician Galen was born in Pergamon and worked here.

A colonnaded sacred way leads to the monumental entrance. Beyond it are a courtyard with porticoes, a Roman theatre, sacred springs and a treatment building. The site is flat compared with the Acropolis. The Bergama Museum in the town shows many finds from the excavations at Pergamon.

Practical notes

Opening hours change by season, so check them with the Bergama Museum directorate before you go. For the return trip, ask in town for the last ESHOT bus to Aliağa.