Perge

Mediterranean, Turkey 2 tours visit here

Perge is an ancient Greco-Roman city on the Pamphylian plain just inland from Antalya, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, and was one of the leading cities of ancient Pamphylia. Known across the classical world for the cult of Artemis Pergaia, it prospered under Roman rule, when most of what stands today was built. The Apostle Paul passed through Perge on his travels in Asia Minor, which also makes it an early Christian site. The ruins are extensive and easy to read. The approach passes a large Roman theatre and a stadium among the best preserved in Anatolia, then leads through the Hellenistic gate with its two round towers into a long colonnaded street, where column stumps and shopfronts flank a water channel running towards a monumental fountain at the far end. Baths, an agora and a necropolis fill out the plan, with the acropolis rising behind. Many sculptures excavated here are displayed in the Antalya Museum. Perge is usually visited as a half-day trip from Antalya, often combined with Aspendos and Side, and an unhurried walk around the site takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Shade is scarce on the open plain, so early morning or late afternoon suits high summer best.