Daskyleion (Dascylium) Ancient City – Bandırma, Balıkesir
Daskyleion (Dascylium) is located on Hisartepe hill near Ergili village, on the southeastern shore of Lake Manyas (ancient Dascylitis Limne) in the district of Bandırma, Balıkesir, northwestern Turkey. The site overlooks the wetlands of Lake Manyas National Park, today known as Bird Paradise.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – Daskyleion
Livius.org – Dascylium (Ergili))
Archaeological evidence shows that the site was inhabited since the Early Bronze Age, confirming the accounts of ancient writers such as Strabo and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Around the 7th century BC, it became part of the Lydian Kingdom and was named Daskyleion after Dascylus, father of King Gyges. The lake nearby thus became known as Lake Dascylitis.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – Daskyleion)
After the Persian conquest of Lydia, Daskyleion became the capital of Hellespontine Phrygia, one of the Achaemenid satrapies. It served as the administrative and military headquarters of the Pharnacid dynasty, controlling routes between Anatolia and Europe.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – Daskyleion
Livius.org – Dascylium (Ergili))
Excavations have revealed architecture from multiple periods: Phrygian walls and a Cybele temple; Lydian fortifications and terraces; Persian palace remains and ritual areas; Hellenistic towers and streets; and a Byzantine citadel gate. Numerous artefacts such as sealings, coins, ceramics, reliefs, and inscriptions are displayed in the Bandırma and Istanbul Archaeological Museums.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – Daskyleion)
Recent work led by Prof. Kaan İren uncovered an 8th-century BC Phrygian wall and 5th-century BC Greco-Persian reliefs depicting the Greco-Persian Wars, likely serving as political propaganda. Excavations also revealed a 137-meter-long Lydian fortification wall, made of andesite and limestone, similar to the citadel walls of Gordion.
(Source: TRT World – Reliefs found in Daskyleion in northwest Turkey depict Greco-Persian Wars
Arkeoloji ve Sanat – 137 meter-long Lydian wall uncovered in Daskyleion)
Today, visitors can explore fortification lines, terraces, temple areas, and tumulus tombs overlooking the scenic Lake Manyas, combining archaeology with natural beauty.
(Source: Turkish Archaeological News – Daskyleion)