Perge Ancient City

Perge Ancient City

Perge is an ancient Pamphylian city believed to have been established between the 12th and 13th centuries BC. Over time, the city came under the rule of Lydia and Persia, and in 334 BC, it surrendered to Alexander the Great. However, the city's golden era occurred during the Roman Empire's reign between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

For many years, Perge has been a popular Christian pilgrimage destination. This is because Saint Paul, who travelled the region in 46 AD, preached his first sermon in the city after arriving from Antioch. Perge is a treasure trove of ancient ruins and archaeological discoveries that date back to the Hellenistic period.

Perge Ancient City

Visitors can explore the remains of the city's social and cultural buildings, such as a theatre and gymnasium, as well as monumental fountains, rectangular columned agoras, high towers, and wide stone streets lined with Greek columns. The ancient city of Perge has been witness to the rise and fall of many civilizations, and its survivors have kept the memory of these civilizations alive to this day.

Perge, an ancient city in Pamphylia, is full of fascinating historical landmarks and structures that represent its rich past. As you enter the city through the later Roman gate, you'll see a Byzantine basilica to the right, followed by rows of columns. Here, you can find the agora on one side and magnificent baths on the other, including some of Pamphylia's largest and most splendid baths.

The walls of Perge date back to the 3rd century BC and serve as a symbol of the city's ancient past. Hellenistic in origin, the walls feature two towers and an ancient gate. After passing through the Hellenistic gate, you'll see a colonnaded street with the palaestra to your left. The palaestra is located north of the acropolis.

The theater is the first thing you'll see when approaching Perge, and it is located far away from the historical site. Behind the theater is an impressive and large stadium, one of the city's primary structures from ancient times and the second largest after the Aphrodisias Stadium in the ancient city of Aphrodisias.

The archaeological site of Perge, which is included on the UNESCO tentative list since 2009, is an outstanding example of Turkey's universal values.