Historic Sites in Bergama: A Guide to Ancient Pergamon
In short, the historic sites you shouldn't miss in Bergama are the Pergamon Acropolis, the Asklepion, the Red Basilica and the Bergama Archaeological Museum. Once one of the most magnificent capitals of the Hellenistic world, Bergama was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Built in terraces on steep hillsides, the ancient city is home to the world's steepest theatre and to the library where parchment was born. In this guide we've gathered Bergama's highlights, along with practical tips for your visit.
The Bergama Acropolis (Upper City)
The Acropolis is the heart of any visit to Bergama. This “upper city”, looking down over the town, is lined with royal palaces, temples and monumental buildings. The easiest way up is the cable car: it takes you from the lower station to the summit in a few minutes, with panoramic views over the Bakırçay plain on the way.
What to see on the Acropolis:
The world's steepest ancient theatre: carved into the steep hillside, it seats around 10,000 people and has breathtaking views.
Temple of Trajan: a Roman-era sanctuary with white marble columns, rising on the highest terrace of the city.
The Library of Pergamon: once holding 200,000 works, it was the second-largest library of the ancient world after Alexandria. When Egypt restricted its exports of papyrus, the writing material developed here from animal skin took its name from Pergamon and became known as “parchment”.
Site of the Altar of Zeus: the altar itself was taken to Germany in the 1870s and is now displayed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin; in Bergama you can still see its foundations and the terrace it stood on.
The Sanctuary of Athena, the royal palaces and the upper agora are also in this area.
The Asklepion (Ancient Healing Centre)
Set on the plain at the foot of the Acropolis, the Asklepion was a healing complex dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, and one of the most famous healing centres of the ancient world; it is often described as “one of the first hospitals”. Patients who came here walked along the colonnaded sacred way and sought cures from its springs and treatments.
On site you can see the colonnaded street, the underground tunnel where patients rested, a small theatre and the remains of temples. After the grandeur of the Acropolis, the calm atmosphere of the Asklepion makes a lovely contrast.
The Red Basilica (Temple of Serapis)
Right in the centre of the modern town, towering over the surrounding buildings, stands the huge red-brick structure known as the Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu). It was built in the Roman period (2nd century AD) as a temple to the Egyptian gods Serapis and Isis, and was later converted into a church. It is one of the largest Roman buildings still standing in the region; stand in front of its walls and its sheer scale will amaze you.
The Red Basilica is also important for faith tourism as the site of one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Bible (the Church of Pergamon). As it is in the town centre, it fits easily into the same day as your visit to the Acropolis and the Asklepion.
Bergama Archaeological Museum
If you'd like a closer look at the finds from the excavations of the ancient city, the Bergama Archaeological Museum is the place to go. Alongside sculptures, mosaics, coins and ceramics spanning the Early Bronze Age to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, it also displays ethnographic pieces from the region, such as kilims and handicrafts. It is a place of memory that completes the buildings you see in the ancient city.
Other stops worth seeing
If you have time, these spots complete Bergama's many-layered character:
Kale and Atmaca neighbourhoods: narrow streets and historic Bergama houses that reflect the town's Ottoman fabric.
The Arasta and historic bazaar: a lively centre surrounded by Ottoman-era inns, baths and mosques, where you can also do some shopping.
Bergama Parchment (Pergamon Parchment): a stop that keeps this cultural heritage alive, where you can see how parchment is made.
Practical tips for visiting Bergama
How long does it take? Visiting just the Acropolis on the hilltop takes about 2–3 hours, including the cable car. If you add the Asklepion and the Red Basilica, allow at least half a day (around 4–5 hours) for a full tour of Bergama.
Museum Pass (Müzekart): because the Acropolis, the Asklepion, the Red Basilica and Bergama Museum are run by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Müzekart is generally valid. However, the cable car and the Acropolis car park are not covered and are charged separately. As tickets and combined-ticket schemes can change, it's a good idea to check the current situation before your visit.
When to go? There is little shade on the Acropolis and the wind can be strong. In summer, avoid the midday heat by going early in the morning or in the late afternoon, and bring water and a hat.
Suggested route: the Acropolis by cable car in the morning, the Asklepion in the afternoon, then the Red Basilica and the museum once you're back in the centre – a plan that makes the most of your day.
Where to eat after your visit
Half a day exploring an ancient city is both tiring and appetising. And here's a local detail worth knowing: most businesses in Bergama are closed on Sundays, so weekend visitors can struggle to find somewhere open.
The good news: in the town centre, Mehmet Hoca'nın Yeri – serving kumru, toasties and burgers – is open on Sundays too. Its kumru are made with its own stone-oven bread, Bergama tulum cheese and sucuk from local butchers, so after exploring the Acropolis you can enjoy a meal that's both quick and truly local. Curious about Bergama's famous dishes? Read our guide “What to eat in Bergama?”, and if you're planning how to get here, take a look at “Where is Bergama and how do you get there?”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which historic sites should I see in Bergama?
The must-see historic sites in Bergama are the Pergamon Acropolis, the Asklepion, the Red Basilica and the Bergama Archaeological Museum. All of them belong to ancient Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do I get up to the Bergama Acropolis?
The easiest way up to the Bergama Acropolis is the cable car, which takes you from the lower station to the top in a few minutes. The cable car is not covered by the Müzekart (Museum Pass) and is charged separately.
How long does it take to visit Bergama?
Visiting just the Acropolis on the hilltop takes about 2–3 hours, including the cable car. If you include the Asklepion and the Red Basilica, allow at least half a day – around 4–5 hours – for a full tour of Bergama.
Is the Müzekart (Museum Pass) valid at Bergama's archaeological sites?
Yes, the Müzekart is generally valid for the Acropolis, the Asklepion, the Red Basilica and Bergama Museum. However, the cable car and the Acropolis car park are not covered. It's a good idea to check current ticketing before your visit.
Where is the Altar of Zeus?
The Altar of Zeus itself was taken to Germany in the 1870s and is now displayed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. On the Acropolis in Bergama you can see the altar's foundations and the terrace it stood on.
After discovering Bergama's ancient heritage, don't forget to stop by Mehmet Hoca'nın Yeri in the town centre for a stone-oven kumru made with local ingredients – we're open every day, weekends included.
Comments