The City That Alexander the Great Could Not Conquer: Termessos

One of the best preserved historical sites in Turkey, Termessos Ancient City, is hidden among pine forests and is among the places that escape the attention of many people today with its untouched texture. We have compiled important information for you about Termessos, the hidden paradise at the summit of Antalya, where various nature activities and camping are possible, the city that Alexander the Great Could Not Conquer.

Ancient City at the Top

It is known that Termessos Ancient City, located in the ancient region described as "Pisidia", was founded by the Solyms, descendants of the Luwians, one of the oldest peoples of Anatolia. The name of the local people is Solymos Mountain, which is today called "Güllük Mountain" and also has the foothills of the valley where Termessos Ancient City was founded. Today, it has been granted National Park status in order to protect natural life due to the diversity of flora it hosts due to its location.

Termessos's Appearance on the Historical Stage

Termessos's appearance on the historical stage takes place during Alexander the Great's Anatolian campaign. Having conquered almost all of Anatolia, Alexander the Great laid siege to Termessos before moving on to the Phrygian Region, but was faced with a strong defense. When the Termessians did not surrender the city to him, he turned to the ancient city of Sagalassos, also located in the Pisidia Region.

Temples

Although it has not been excavated yet, we can see the structures such as temples, theaters, baths and agoras seen in almost all ancient cities of Anatolia. In Termessos, whose identity is Hellenistic, the gods that were sanctified were Artemis and the cult of Zeus Solymeus, which was identified with its location. Before starting to tour the city, the Temple of Artemis, built in the Ionic order, located just across from the parking lot, is the greatest evidence of this situation.

Necropolis

Another event that caused Termessos to remain on the stage of history after Alexander the Great's siege was the struggle between Antigonos and Alketas, two of Alexander's army commanders. Apart from the monumental tomb of Alketas in Termessos, the large necropolis (cemetery) area that you will see when you start to wander around the city and that contains almost 1200 inscriptions. We can understand from the shield motifs and spear decorations on the sarcophagi that the main theme in the necropolis is war and victories in war.

Theater and Other Public Areas

But by far the most impressive view in the city is the theater of Termessos with its perfect location dominating the mountainous countryside. Although it is not very large compared to the ancient cities around it, it is thought that the theater, which is located at an altitude of 1070 meters, has a capacity of between 4500-5000. As can be understood from its location, Termessos is not a port city. Therefore, while you are wandering around the city, you will also see 5 cisterns connected to each other on the plain to the east of the agora (the city area where all kinds of political, religious and commercial activities take place), and cistern structures that are unique in terms of depth and width.

How to Get There?

There are four different ways to reach the ancient city, but the most preferred one is the private road that climbs to Güllük Mountain Termessos National Park 24 kilometers ahead while following the Antalya-Korkuteli highway. If you do not have a private vehicle, you need to walk a considerable distance to reach the ancient city. The entrance to the ancient city, which has a parking lot, is made with the Museum Card.

Termessos ancient city, which did not witness any new settlement after the Byzantine period, was abandoned suddenly. The ancient city, which is thought to be caused by an epidemic disease or an earthquake, can still be shown as one of the places that is quite solid and well-preserved apart from natural destruction. There are many historical ruins worth seeing except for those we have listed here. You will hear the whispers of ancient history at every step you take in Termessos, where the blue of the sky and the dazzling green of nature embrace the traces of the past. The fascinating natural landscape of Termessos Ancient City, located on the summit of Güllük Mountain, will forever be a part of your memories.

Written by: Şebnem Gürer