Eagle Nest - Ancient City Termessos - Tripadvisor Little is known of the people or the culture of Termessos despite it being incredibly well preserved, with most of the information gleaned from stories and histories. Termessos, after a gradual decline, was finally abandoned in the 5th century. Wow. The most interesting structures of Termessos ancient city are the theater, cisterns, and wells. Termessos Ancient City in Antalya | Antalya Tourist Information Termessos is a mountainous area with rugged terrain, so comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for hiking are recommended. Termessos. 25USD/150Turkish lira for 2-3 hours should cover it. The city Termessians where the principal official buildings are located lies on a flat area a little beyond the inner walls. After the road, we come to the colonnaded street. Antalya - Termessos Ancient City We hiked to Termessos first thing in the morning: we arrived at the car park and began our hike at around 9am after entering the park at 8.30am. I recommend to read about the history of Termessos before visiting it. 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I loved Termessos. What they call a colonnaded street is actually an important element of Roman city planning. This type of house generally belonged to nobles and plutocrats. The atrium held an important place in the daily activities of houses such as this, and was also used as a reception room for guests. You find Termessos Ancient City in Gllk Da National Park in the Taurus Mountains. The defenders of Alcetas built this monument in his memory, where he is depicted fighting on his horse. Any suggestion or tips welcomed. The site of Termessos itself is located within the Gllk Da National Park 30km outside Antalya in Southern Turkey and is a perfect morning or afternoon trip from the city. A street with wide, shop-lined porticoes ran northsouth through the city. Termessos, which maintained friendship and alliance relations with the Roman Empire, was independent in its own affairs, which is . According to the information I have obtained, it was already recorded as one of the rare cities that Alexander the Great could not take it. It's one of the best-preserved historic settlements in Turkey. Amid the rubble, pieces of coloured marble have been unearthed, giving rise to the possibility that the interior walls were decorated with mosaic. As such it was often ostentatiously decorated. Winner will be selected at random on 08/01/2023. Accordingly, you dont have to dig too deep into your wallet. Don't miss the theatre (a good spot for your picnic) or the cemeteries. Alexander the Great, attacked Sagalassos City in the southwest of the area and seized it. In this article, you will learn where to find Termessos ruins and how you get there. Offer subject to change without notice. Developer Madar Solutions, in nature. Their name, as well as that given to the mountain on which they lived, was derived from Solymeus, an Anatolian god who in later times became identified with Zeus, giving rise there to the cult of Zeus Solymeus . TheSolims seemed to have simply walked away leaving a remarkably preserved town behind. It attracts attention with its unique tombs. Alcetas was defeated by Antigonos. Termessos is an ideal destination for a day trip. ), The Land of Legends Theme Park, Antalya: : Best Tickets Advice, Fire of Anatolia Dance Show, Antalya: Best Tickets & Tours Advice, Ancient City of Aspendos & the Roman Theater (Tips & Tickets), 15 Best Day Trips from Antalya: Explore the Hidden Gems, Ancient City of Side, Amphitheater, Temple of Apollo & Athena, Daily Boat Trips in Antalya Province: 2023 Best Boat Tours + Advice, The Sunken City of Kekova: Best Daily Tours & Boat Trips Advice, Phaselis Archaeological Site in Kemer: Best Daily Tours Advice, The Ancient City of Myra in Demre: Best Daily Tours Advice. On the Antalya Burdur Road, Antalya 07100 Trkiye. This ancient city is one of the most impressive sights in Turkey. Thanks to the inaccessibility of its location, the ruins of Termessos remained largely intact spread along the slopes of the Gulluk Mountains, a.k.a. Unfortunately the tomb has been despoiled by treasure hunters. At the end of all this confusion, Alcetas killed himself and handed over his dead body to Antigonos. Carved necropoles (graves) can be seen. You should be prepared to walk, if you choose the minibus option. This name still exists as a surname in some people in Antalya region, providing evidence to their Solymi heritage. These hilltop ruins of a forgotten Buddhist monastery flourished in Antiquity from trade with the Roman Empire. The main entrance gives onto a hall which leads through a second entrance to a central courtyard, or atrium. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The ticket for the site is separate which you can buy at the site. It lies 30 kilometres to the north-west of Antalya. May I know how much did the taxi driver charge you? Termessos, because it was founded on the summit of the Taurus, it is really interesting to visit these places, especially for lovers of high-rises, but we cannot stop without contemplating the city formed above, and we start to climb, as well as stand on the slopes of the earth. Required fields are marked *, Limak International Hotels & Resorts | Brand Blog | All Rights Reserved | 2019. This arch granting triumphal entrance into Antalya was designed to honor the emperor's visit. Private Car:The ancient city of Termessos is located on the Antalya-Korkuteli Highway, 37 km from Antalya. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Four of them were found near the Odeon in an area that is thought to be sacred. Trke: Termessos Ancient City was built on a steep hillside covered with pine forest, which has helped the ancient city reach the present day untouched and well preserved, and become a tourist attraction in Antalya. Termessos: Visiting The Ancient City, Antalya Turkey Last Updated: February 14, 2021 By: David This post may contain compensated links. In addition there are limited facilities at the site so you need to bring all your own water and food. Termessos Tip: There is very little visitor information at the site so it is good to read up on Termessos before you visit. We were there for about 4 hours because we sat in many places and thought about the old days and their art and of course we enjoyed the views of the mountains and the forest. Flames have been burning within this mountain for more than 2,500 years. For centuries, nobody knew of the existence of this city, which was seemingly lost to time. Chambonandco. Visiting Termessos is a little more challenging than many of the other major sights in Turkey. All parts are well preserved and show a high-quality cut stone structure. Its amazing claim to fame is that is was the only city that Alexander the Great could not conquer. The city was abandoned (year unknown), which helps to explain its remarkable state of preservation today. The nearby city of Antalya is the best place to stay in order to visit Termessos. This is connected with the podium where the play took place, by five doors piercing the richly ornamented facade or scaenae frons. Amazing ancient city on top of a mountain - Review of Termessos The inscribed bases for these statues are still in place, and by reading them we can recreate the ancient splendour of this street. It's well preserved in all its parts and shows high quality, cut stone construction. Termessos - Wikipedia Termessos Ancient City, located in the part known as Milyas in the southwest of the Pisidia Region, is established in the valley located on the summits of Gllk (Solymos) Mountain. For this hike, you should expect another hour of walking. The theater is located at the top of the city. Among the remaining ruins are the city walls, Hadrian's Triumphal Arch, the cisterns, the theater, the gymnasium, the agora, the odeon, and the heroon. If you dont have a car, you can take a taxi from Antalya or book a guided tour that includes transportation. , and wells. Termessos is currently on the tentative list ofUNESCO World Heritage Sites. All rights reserved. The ancient Pisidian site of Termessos is situated on a hillside at an altitude of 1,050 meters, on the Gulluk Mountain National Park, and it is one of the most popular historical sights in Antalya. Surprisingly there has never been any excavation carried out at Termessos and, with the exception of some metal railings to protect visitors from falling into the open holes around the site, there has been very little done to protect or restore this ancient city. See. Termessos - Bayatbademleri Ky, Turkey - Atlas Obscura Think there is another more child friendly amphitheatre a few miles away geared for tourist. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Visiting Termessos tip: One of the best views of is from the main entrance at the top of the lower city walls. Termessos ruins are probably one of the most impressive sights in Turkey. This is a very impressive and important historical site to visit in Turkey. For a cab ride from Antalya to Termessos, you should plan about 150 Turkish Lira. Its origins are unclear, but the first mention of it was in Homer's Iliad. Many tour operators in Antalya offer guided tours to Termessos that include transportation, entrance fees, and a knowledgeable guide. In reality it was founded by a community known as the Solims. Thus the right of usage was officially guaranteed. When the style is examined, it is thought that the history of the temple dates back to the end of the 2nd century AD. Despite this, there have never been any excavations in these ruins. The Ancient City of Termessos | HeritageDaily - Archaeology News Its amazing to sit in the original seats and imagine what once was at Termessos. After this brief information, let's continue to get to know Termessos. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This is the start of the main ruins and except for some climbing over large stones, the remainder of the city is relatively flat. This structure dates from the 1st century AD. In the continuation of the Gymnasium, you will see the bathhouse and the places where the statues are held to honor the noble families. The defenders of Alcetas built this monument in his memory, where he is depicted fighting on his horse. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Despite challenging terrain, these narrow plots produce tons of grain, nuts, fruits, and flowers each year. Alternatively, you can reach the Termessos ruins by public transport. The ruins are an easy 45 minutes' drive from the city by car. A visit to the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos is an unforgettable experience, completely different from visiting ancient cities located along the Mediterranean coast. Paid 1000 TL for the return journey and for the driver to wait for us and an extra 20 TL entry to the park. There is a fabulous and huge cistern, which you can never find any photo of it. We'd recommend hiring a car, going with a good-quality guidebook (or downloads), and taking your time up there. We considered this as the best out of the 3 runs area to visit in Antalya. There is a number of reasons why the city is still preserved today, the first reason is it was built at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and the other is that although no excavation has been done, some of the buildings are still standing and finally the work will be done to quickly stand up this Roman city. About Antalya, Termessos Ancient City - Farout Turkey (AA Photo) The first of these temples is located directly at the back of the odeon and is constructed of truly splendid masonry. It provides a nice hike up the hill. The temple rose on a high podium, but to what god it was dedicated is not known at present. We started our descent from Termessos at around 11am and, until then, we were the only people at the site. According to the information I have obtained, it was already recorded as one of the rare cities that Alexander the Great could not take it. In fact, many sources have written about the very well-preserved city of Termossos. Bonjour, in the southwest of the area and seized it. Definitely highly recommended, Great 1/2 day excursion and relatively easy short hike. Termessos Ancient City is one of the most impressive destinations you can reach from Antalya. Explore different ways to experience this place. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. This theater with a cliff view is one of the most interesting structures in the world. From this road one can see the famous Yenice pass, through which wound the ancient road that the Termessians called "King Street" as well as Hellenistic period fortification walls, cisterns and many other remains. Termessos Ancient City - A Short Visitor's Guide - Limak In the continuation of the, you will see the bathhouse and the places where the statues are held to honor the noble families. Find more info in our disclosure policy As we planned our Turkey itinerary we knew we had to visit Termessos, a mountaintop city and one of the best preserved ancient sites in Turkey. Termessos: The ancient city Alexander the Great could not conquer In the ancient city of Termessos, there are many temples and two large burial areas (necropolis) with many tombs and sarcophagi. The bodies of the poor were buried in simple stone, clay, or wooden sarcophagi. The city used to have a strategic location that the Alexander the Great couldnt be able to conquer the city. Although its a short drive from Antalya, getting there involves a steep hike up the mountain from the top of the road, so it lacks the usual tourist crowds of the southern Turkish coast. Getting to them is a bit more difficult, to be sure. In 319BC, after the death of Alexander, one of his generals, Antigonos Monophtalmos, proclaimed himself master of Asia Minor and set out to do battle with his rival Alcetas, whose base of support was Pisidia. In Turkey's Taurus Mountains, Farms Look Like Modern Art, Archaeological Site inside Monastiraki Metro Station, Photographer Paulina Daos 12 Destinations for Unforgettable Discovery, Paid Moment from Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/turkey/mediterranean-coast-hatay/antalya-alanya/termessos/. Ruins tucked into overgrown forests. Young girl tourist in a hat on a walk on a mountain forest road, in the ruins of the ancient city Termessos in the bright rays of. For us, the ampitheatre is the highlight of Termessos and we recommend heading to the Theatre right after you enter the walled city before the site gets too busy. (AA Photo) It opens the door to another world for its visitors with its unique structures, endemic plants and wildlife. A long narrow room is all that lies behind it. From there you have to walk nine kilometers. They attacked Alexander from behind; but Alexander, was superior in number, and his army prevailed. This building, which resembled a small theater, dates back to the 1st century BC. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"eb08a":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"19fff":{"name":"Accent Transparent","parent":"eb08a","lock":{"lightness":1}}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"eb08a":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)"},"19fff":{"val":"rgba(248, 37, 72, 0.05)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":350,"l":0.56,"s":0.94}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"eb08a":{"val":"rgb(55, 179, 233)","hsl":{"h":198,"s":0.8,"l":0.56,"a":1}},"19fff":{"val":"rgba(55, 179, 233, 0.05)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":198,"s":0.8,"l":0.56,"a":0.05}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Guide to the Ancient City of Termessos in Antalya: History & Tips, Visit Alanya Selcuk Shipyard (Tersane): Access & History, Guide to Mamure Castle in Turkey: History, Tours & Tips, Guide to the Ancient City of Antiphellos: History & Tips. This incredible structure is perched right on the edge of the mountain overlooking the surrounding peaks and valleys. Unfortunately, only a, , there are many temples and two large burial areas (, caused a conflict between two of his commanders, Antigonos and Alcetas, he was defeated by Antigonos. The second temple lies near the south-west corner of the odeon. Your email address will not be published. The exterior is decorated with niches and other ornamentation of the Doric order. The colonnaded streets started to be built in this period and became the symbol of the empire with its monumental architecture and portico facades extending throughout the city and constitute the first step of planning the Roman city. Since the ruins show obvious earthquake damage, it is reasonable to assume that an earthquake prompted the inhabitants to leave the city. The elders delivered his corpse to Antigonos. Among the remaining ruins you will find the city walls, Hadrian's Triumphal Arch, the cisterns, the theater, the gymnasium, the agora, the odeon, and the heroon. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. It was built 1,050 meters above sea level and spreads over a wide area. In 334 BC, the warriors of Termessos successfully fought off Alexander and his invading Macedonian army. or Dosemealti village, they will drop you off on a road and the entrance of Thermessos. Termessos, after a gradual decline, was finally abandoned in the 5th century. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. It's one of the best-preserved historic settlements in Turkey. He showed us all the important stuff at the bottom of the hike. This independence is documented also by the coins of Termessos, which bear the title "Autonomous". Termessos entered into friendly relations with Attalos II, king of Pergamon, the better to combat its ancient enemy Selge. This is to prevent you from falling into one of the open holes inside the ancient city. View the ancient remains of buildings and the ancient "River of Hades" before hopping on a train. When you look at the northern slopes of the mountain. Theatre of the Ancient City of Termessos. The hike to and around the ancient city is very rough and you will need to climb over some large rocks and walls. It is well preserved all the way to roof level and exhibits the finest quality ashlar masonry.