Perge
Magnificent Roman City of Pamphylia
Perge was one of the most impressive cities of ancient Pamphylia, known for its grand Hellenistic-Roman ruins, including the city’s colonnaded streets, theater, and stadium. It was a flourishing center under Roman rule.
1.History
Perge (also known as Perga) was an ancient Greek city in Pamphylia, located in modern-day Antalya Province on the southwestern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It once served as the capital of Pamphylia Secunda and was a major cultural and religious center in the region, known particularly for the worship of Artemis, a goddess rooted in Anatolian traditions. One of the city’s unique features was its long central water channel, lined with cascading pools, which ran through the middle of the main street—an impressive feat of engineering for a semi-arid region with hot summers.
Archaeological excavations date the earliest settlement on the acropolis of Perge to the early Bronze Age (around 4000-3000 BC). The city later became a Greek settlement and changed hands several times, falling under Persian, Athenian, and Persian rule again. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great occupied Perge during his conquests. The city was subsequently taken by the Romans in 188 BC, and they constructed the Via Sebaste after 25 BC, a road linking Pisidian Antioch with Perge. Under Roman rule, Perge became a magnificent city, flourishing from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD with grand public buildings, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Anatolia and a key rival of Side in Pamphylia.
During the 4th century, under the reign of Constantine the Great, Perge became an important center for Christianity. It continued to thrive as a Christian hub into the 5th and 6th centuries, although it eventually declined after the establishment of the Seljuk Empire around 1000 AD.The city also played a role in early Christianity, with St. Paul and St. Barnabas visiting twice during their first missionary journey, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
a reputation for its remarkable mosaics,
Archaeological excavations of Perge, which began in 1946, have uncovered many monumental structures, including a theater, stadium, palaestra, temple of Artemis, and two churches. The Temple of Artemis, located outside the town, was a major religious center. The theater, one of the most impressive monuments in Perge, is larger than those in Myra and Patara.
Perge has also gained a reputation for its remarkable mosaics, which have led to comparisons with Zeugma, another ancient site famous for its mosaics. In 2003, archaeologists uncovered Greek mosaics depicting Oceanus and Medusa, and in 2017, a mosaic illustrating the sacrifice of Iphigenia was discovered.
Today, Perge remains an essential archaeological site, offering insight into ancient Pamphylian, Greek, Roman, and Christian history through its well-preserved ruins and artistic treasures.
2.How to get there
Perge is located about 17 kilometers east of Antalya. You can take bus number AC03 from the center of Antalya to Aksu, and from there, the ancient site is about 2 kilometers away, accessible by a short walk or taxi. If you’re driving, head east from Antalya on the D400 highway, then follow the “Perge” signs after passing through Aksu. The drive takes about 20 minutes.
3.GALLERY
4.Explore Nearby Sites
You can also explore several nearby historical spots around Perge. These close-by attractions offer further insight into the rich history of the region and are easily accessible for visitors wanting to extend their journey:
