PERGE (Aksu)
Perge (18 kms from Antalya ) was an important
city in Pamphylia (today's Mediterranean
region). It was settled by the Hittites around
1500 B.C. Kestros (Aksu) river, which runs near acropolis, made Perge like
a port because it was possible to navigate. An important trade route starting
from Side run through Perge. It is also famous by the fact that when St.
Paul started his journeys, he visited Perge in 46 A.D. and preached
his first sermon here. That's why it became an important city for the
Christians during Byzantine
period.
To understand the importance of the city it is necessary to visit its
remains. You can see the ruins of the antique theatre (capacity 12,000
people), its stage has marble relieves depicting the life of Dionysos;
a stadium, which is in a shape of "U" for 12,000 people; remains of the
first church built in Perge, an agora, which has dimensions of 76x76 m.
and it's surrounded by Corinthian columns, in the middle of it there is
a round temple of Tyche (2nd century
A.D.); a basilica - another structure from Christian
Era with three entrances, a good example of a Roman Bath in the southern
part of the city, and Hellenistic gates which later were converted into
a court of honor by Plancia Magna. This city produced many famous personalities;
among them we can mention Varius, the philosopher, the physician Asklepiades,
the famous mathematician Apollonius and female roman ruler of the city
Plancia Magna.
ASPENDOS (Belkis)
Aspendos
nearby Antalya
is famous for its best-preserved theater of antiquity built in the 2nd
c. AD with a capacity of 15,000 people. Still used today for performances
and festivals, the theater's galleries, stage decorations
and acoustics all testify to its architect Xenon's success. Next to
the stage there is a small room which is used as a small museum where you
can see some of the masks and clay tickets. Nearby stand the remains of
a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia.
Here you can visit also the acropolis of the city with a great view of
the river.
The river passing next to the city is called Köprüçay
(ancient Euromydon) and was navigable once upon a time. This was also the
place where the Persians used to breed their horses between 6th-4th c.
BC. during their rule in Asia Minor.
.