Ancient Perge, Antalya

To understand the importance of the city it is necessary to visit its remains. When you approach to the city first you see the ruins of the ancient theater, its stage has marble relieves depicting the life of Dionysos. Then you can view the stadium, which has a "U" shape with the capacity of 12,000 people. After the parking area, there are the remains of the first church built in Perge and a square agora (market place) which has dimensions of 76x76 meters and surrounded by Corinthian style column capitals, where in the middle of it there is a round temple of Tyche (2nd century A.D.). Then you can see a basilica, another structure from Christian Era with three entrances. Afterwards there is a wide main street with shops on both sides, a good example of a Roman Bath and Gymnasium in the southern part of the city, and monumental Hellenistic gates which later were converted into a court of honor by Plancia Magna.

Perge produced many famous personalities during its heydays. Among them we can mention the philosopher Varius, the physician Asklepiades, the famous mathematician Apollonius, and female Roman ruler of the city Plancia Magna.