Bergama Things to Do

The Terrace is located below the Theatre at the abrupt slope of the Acropolis Hill.
The terrace has a length about 500 meters. It overlooks the Caicus River valley and leads to the entry gate of the Acropolis.
A colonnade lined the road that passes in front of the theatre leading to the temple of Dionysus.

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The Theater is among the most striking features on the Acropolis. The theater, which was built in the time of the Pergamon kings in the 3rd century B.C, could accommodate some 15,000 spectators on its 80 rows.

Along the outside of the 216m long upper terrace was a colonnade. It had the steepest seating of any known theater in the ancient world.

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The famous Altar was situated in the Temple of Zeus on the upper part of the Acropolis on the south of the theater. It was this altar, believed dedicated to Zeus, which John of Patmos referred to as "Satan's Throne" in his Book of Revelation.
Almost nothing remained from the Temple now.

You can watch my 5 min 22 sec Video clip Bergama Slide show Part I with Mozart Concert 191.

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The famous Altar of Zeus in Pergamon was constructed by Eumenes II (197-159 BC) as a memorial of the victory against the Galatians for the commemoration of Pergamum's victory over the Celts by Attalos I. The Altar was constructed on a terrace 25 m lower down the south of Athena Temple and had the shape of a horseshoe and its dimensions are 36.44 x 34.20 m. It is composed of four parts and the high relieves on it describe the war between the giants and the gods.

The frieze of the Altar was depicting the battle between the giants and the gods (Gigantomachy) symbolising the glory of order over chaos. Today only the podium (crepidoma) is remaining at the place.

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You will see the Upper Agora (market place) just close to the entrance to the sight. It is considered to belong to the 2nd century BC. In the middle of the Agora there was a small altar.

The road climbs up in a wide right-hand curve to the Acropolis. The road arrives first at the colonnaded Upper Agora (84x44m).

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The main sites of ancient Pergamon are situated to the north and west of the modern city of Bergama.
The acropolis of Athens was taken as an example for the Acropolis of Pergamon. It is considered it was built by Eumenes II at the top of the Pergamon Hill in 197-158 BC. When you enter the Acropolis, the remains seen at your left side, are the foundations of Propylon (monumental gates).

You can watch my 3 min 04 sec Video clip Bergama Part I with Vivaldi Concerto in Cmaj.

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From the acropolis ruins above Bergama, you get some great views. From the one side (by the ampitheater), you get a view of the town and the surrounding countryside. From the backside of the ruins, you get a great view of a large reservoir and the hills around it.

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The Temple of Trajan is the best-preserved temple structure among the Pergamum ruins. It sits in a plaza surrounded by the remains of colonnades on three sides, and a great view of the town of Bergama below on the fourth side. The temple is only partially intact, with some of its columns still standing. What we found most interesting was the lower level below the temple, which was better preserved. The lower level featured a central passageway with vaulted archs and a number of rooms with vaulted ceilings built into the hillside.