ANCIENT CITY OF ASSOS

Located in the North Aegean and the unique beauty which is backed by the Kaz Mountains and Behramkale Assos, Turkey’s today because they are under the protection of the ancient city probably has the distinction of being the best preserved ruins and the environment.

Located on a steep slope, Behramkale was a village where Turks and Greeks lived together before the Republic, and today it is a very nice route to spend time with its restored stone houses for tourism purposes. After visiting Assos Antique City, you can spend time and stay in cafes and restaurants in the village square.

Leaving your car in a parking area in Behramkale and walking a bit of steep slopes, you find yourself at the entrance of Assos Antique City. You can enter the Ancient City with a Museum Card and you can enter with a ticket of 18 TL (August2019). The ruins, which are open to visitors every day, can be visited between 08: 30-19: 00 // 31 October-1 April: 09: 30-17: 30.

B.C. Founded on an extinct volcanic hill in the 6 th century, the city has reached to the present day theater, parliament building, agora, stoa, ancient road, watchtower, cistern can be seen in many structures.

The symbol of the city and its most important structure is the Temple of Athena. This structure is located at the highest point of the city. The first and only dor temple built in Anatolia during the Archaic Age, still welcomes visitors to all its splendor. Athena was the daughter of Zeus and one of the 12 Olympian gods, and was also the patron goddess of Assos. Today, some of the friezes of the Temple of Athena are exhibited in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

After visiting the Temple of Athena on the hill you reach from the toll booths, when you walk back to the entrance to the ruins, the Watchtower and Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque will meet you.

You can also see and examine the cisterns, which are located close to the observation towers and where the water needs of the city are stored in time.

The hiking path made of cut stone and natural texture that descends towards the Agora section of the city has been arranged very well and provided comfort to the visitors of the city during the walk.

As the road progresses, you first come across the ruins of the city’s parliament building.

Bouleuterion, as in other ancient cities in Anatolia, was the structure that hosted the assembly which was organized regularly. This council square of about 150 people was a regular, one-storey building. The building, located just to the west of the agora, had five gates. The Doric columns on the façade of the building were 65 cm in diameter, while the inner columns bearing the roof were 75 cm in diameter.

Another important public building area in the ruins is the area where Stoa and Agora are located. At one end of this area was Bouleuteion and at the other end was the Agora Temple. Agora, which was a political and commercial meeting point in Ancient Cities, was also an important public building complex for Assos.

It is thought that it was built in the 1st century BC and since the excavations are not completed, it is not possible to see the building today.

The construction of the theater dates back to the 4th century. However, additions were made in the Roman period. It has a total capacity of 4000 spectators. Before the construction of the theater, the area was used as a quarry.