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PERGAMON (BERGAMA)
Bergama (Pergamon), once a great center of culture,
survives as one of Turkey's finest archaeological
sites. On the Acropolis, a hill above the modern town,
are the remains of the celebrated library, a steep and
impressive theatre, the temples of Trojan and Dionysus,
the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter,
a gymnasium laid out on three terraces and the Agora.
The Asclepion, located to the southwest of the lower
city, was a sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepios. In town visit the Archaeological and
Ethnographical Museum; nearby, is the site of a temple
dedicated to Serapis, later one of the Seven Churches
of the Apocalypse, and subsequently converted by the
Byzantines into a basilica. Dikili, frequented by
cruise liners bringing visitors to Pergamon, is
Bergama’s harbortown. it offers a relaxing
atmosphere with many pleasant restaurants lining the
Kordon Promenade. A stop at the little port of
Candarli, the ancient Pitane, is recommended in order
to see the Genoese fortress, one of the best preserved
in Turkey. Ayvalik is a charming port, situated amid
beautiful pine woods. Nearby, the 5eytan Sofrasi (Devil's
Table) offers a splendid panorama of the archipelago
along the Gulf of Ayvalik and the little island of
Alibey (Cunda), where there are pleasant seafood
restaurants. Sarmisakli Beach is one of the most
beautiful beaches in the area. The Gulf of Edremit,
also known as the Olive Riviera, has a number of
charming seaside resorts: Kucukkuyu, Altinoluk, Akcay
(a thermal center with numerous springs), Edremit and
Oren, all with beautiful beaches, ring the Gulf of
Edremit and offer visitors a wide choice of hotels and
guest houses with views of the sea. Here also, is
situated the beautiful Kaz Dagi National Park, with
magnificent landscapes, restful green areas and
several hot springs. According to mythology it was in
this area that the world's first beauty contest was
held. Under the shadow of Kaz Dagi (Mt. Ida, 1774
meters) in Pinarbasi, west of Akcay, Paris gave the
golden apple to Aphrodite in the famous "Judgement of
Paris. "
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