Ancient City of Termessos (Antalya)
Termessos is an ancient Pisidian city built on a natural platform about
1,000 meters above sea level, on the southwestern slopes of Mount Güllük
(ancient Solymos), northwest of Antalya. It lies within the Güllük Dağı–Termessos
National Park and is considered one of the best-preserved ancient cities in
Turkey.
(Source: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termessos
Turkish Museums –
https://www.turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/1974-antalya-termessos-archeological-site/1974/4)
The city is believed to have been founded by the Solymi, a mountain people
mentioned by Homer in the Iliad, and its chief deity was Zeus Solymeus,
whose image appears on local coins.
(Source: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termessos
Turkish Archaeological News – https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/termessos)
Termessos first clearly enters recorded history when Alexander the Great
attempted to pass through the nearby mountain pass in 333 BC and laid siege to
the city. Thanks to its eagle-nest position, steep cliffs and narrow passes, the
inhabitants successfully resisted; Alexander abandoned the siege without taking
Termessos – one of the very few cities in Asia Minor he failed to conquer.
(Source: Daily Sabah –
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/travel/termessos-the-city-alexander-the-great-failed-to-conquer
Akra Hotels Magazine –
https://www.akrahotels.com/en/magazine/the-place-where-history-meets-nature-ancient-city-of-termessos)
In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the city flourished and, thanks to its
remote mountain setting, retained a high degree of autonomy as a “friend and
ally” of Rome. In 71 BC the Roman Senate confirmed its freedom and right to
make its own laws; Termessos continued to mint its own coins.
(Source: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termessos)
Termessos was eventually abandoned after an earthquake destroyed the
aqueduct that supplied water to the city. Because it was never rebuilt and
modern excavations have been limited, many of its structures and inscriptions
have survived in remarkably good condition, hidden among the pines.
(Source: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termessos
Turkish Archaeological News – https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/termessos)
Today, visitors can explore the spectacular theatre with its panoramic view
over the Pamphylian plain, the agora and stoas, the gymnasium and baths, the
odeon, stretches of the colonnaded “King’s Road”, city walls and gates,
cisterns and an extensive necropolis filled with rock-cut tombs and sarcophagi.
All of this is surrounded by dense pine forest and dramatic limestone peaks,
making Termessos a perfect blend of mountain hike and ancient-city experience.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/termessos
Privilege – https://privilege.com.tr/en/gulluk-dagi-termessos-national-park
Anadolu Agency –
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/turkiyes-ancient-city-of-termessos-captivates-both-history-enthusiasts-and-nature-lovers-alike/2905064)