Pergamon Asklepion Ruins
Travel Point Overview
Located in the historical district of Bergama in İzmir, the Asklepion of Pergamon is one of the most iconic healing centers of the ancient world. Recognized by UNESCO in 2014 as part of the “Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape”, it represent
🏛️ Pergamon Asklepion Ruins – İzmir
An Ancient Healing Sanctuary and Multilayered Cultural Heritage Site
Located in the historical district of Bergama in İzmir, the Asklepion of Pergamon is one of the most iconic healing centers of the ancient world.
Recognized by UNESCO in 2014 as part of the “Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape”, it represents a unique combination of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage.
🏺 A City of Layers: From Antiquity to Empire
The UNESCO-listed site comprises nine archaeological components:
- The multi-layered ancient city of Pergamon,
- The Sanctuary of Cybele,
- Burial mounds such as Ilyas Tepe, Yığma Tepe, Ikili, Tavşan Tepe, X Tepe, A Tepe, and Maltepe Tumulus.
Pergamon, once the capital of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon, later served as the capital of the Roman province of Asia.
It became a renowned center for science, culture, and health — especially through the Asklepion, a groundbreaking medical complex.
🏛️ The Asklepion: A Sanctuary of Healing
Named after the god of healing Asklepios, the Pergamon Asklepion was an advanced medical complex.
Here, treatments included psychotherapy, music therapy, hydrotherapy, and even dream interpretation.
The famous physician Galen, one of the founding figures of modern medicine, studied and practiced here.
Key structures you can visit:
- The Sacred Way (ancient entrance path)
- Treatment Galleries
- Temple of Asklepios
- Library
- Theatre
- Sleeping chambers for dream therapy
🏛️ Highlights of the Ancient City of Pergamon
- Temple of Athena
- Temple of Trajan
- Zeus Altar (once considered a world wonder)
- Temple of Dionysos
- The Steepest Ancient Theatre in the World
- Pergamon Library (rival to Alexandria’s Library)
- Agora and Gymnasium
- Heroon (royal shrine)
🕌 Ottoman and Byzantine Layers
Beyond its classical ruins, Pergamon also preserves Byzantine and Ottoman architectural elements, including:
- Mosques
- Inns (Hans)
- Public baths (Hamams)
- Commercial centers
This makes Bergama a living cultural heritage site, reflecting thousands of years of urban evolution.
🎫 Visitor Information
- 💳 Museum Pass is accepted
- 💰 Entrance Fee: €13 (for foreign visitors)
- 📍 Location: Bergama, İzmir
🚍 How to Get There
- 📍 Distance from major cities:
– İzmir: 106 km
– Balıkesir: 110 km
– Istanbul: 499 km
– Ankara: 659 km - 🛫 Closest airport: Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
- 🚌 Accessible by intercity buses from İzmir and other major cities across Türkiye.
📲 Discover with Advisormapp
Plan your visit smarter with our app:
- 🗺️ Smart navigation to the site
- 🎧 Multilingual audio guides
- 📸 Site highlights & hidden gems
- 📍 Travel routes, nearby restaurants, and souvenir shops
🌐 Visit: www.advisormapp.com
🏛️ Pergamon Asklepion: Where History, Science, and Healing Meet
Wander through a sanctuary that combined spirituality, innovation, and medical wisdom long before the modern era.
Pergamon Asklepion is not just a ruin — it is a timeless legacy of human pursuit for health and harmony.
📌 Don’t miss this extraordinary site on your next trip to İzmir!
