Dikili (Pergamon), Turkey

Exploring Pergamon from Dikili

Today was a tender port, so we braced ourselves for the usual wait. Somehow, we lucked out and made it onto the very first tender, landing on shore at 9:30 AM—half an hour earlier than scheduled. Our tour guide appeared within minutes, and just like that, our day in Dikili began ahead of plan.

Dikili itself is a quiet little seaside town, pleasantly untouristy and peaceful. But the real reason people come here is Pergamon, one of the most remarkable ancient sites in Turkey.

Stop 1: The Asclepieion of Pergamon
Our first destination was only about 20 minutes away: the Asclepieion of Pergamon. Once a major healing center dedicated to Asclepius and Hygieia, this sanctuary functioned as one of the most important hospitals of the second century. It finally closed in the 4th century, but many of the treatment methods developed here still influence modern healing practices.

There was plenty of walking and standing at this site, but Boris kept up with the group, which was a nice win for the day.

Stop 2: The Acropolis of Pergamon
Next, a short 10-minute drive brought us to the Acropolis of Pergamon. Set about 30 km inland and perched more than 300 meters above sea level, the location alone is impressive. But the history goes even deeper—the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age.

The acropolis itself is astonishing. It once held the second-largest library of the ancient world (after Alexandria), as well as one of the steepest theaters of antiquity, with 80 rows of seats and room for 10,000 spectators. Scattered across the hilltop are the Temple of Trajan, the 2nd-century water systems, the 4th-century Temple of Athena, the Altar of Zeus, and countless ruins whose names are impossible to keep straight but amazing to see.

The climb around the site is no joke—over an hour of uneven boulders and steps. Boris opted out of this part and treated himself to fresh pomegranate juice while the rest of the group explored.

Wrapping Up the Day
After all that walking, our group unanimously voted to skip lunch out and head straight back to the ship. A great decision—everyone was exhausted.

The weather was perfect, so we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the pool deck, soaking up the sun and enjoying the peaceful end to a very full day.Weiterlesen