Perge Antik Kenti
Located in Aksu, Perge was one of the leading cities of Pamphylia. Its Roman colonnaded street, stadium for 12,000, baths and monumental gate make it one of Anatolia's best-preserved ancient cities.
Perge sits only 18 kilometres from central Antalya yet is skipped by most visitors. Its foundation reaches back to Hittite records, though most of what you see today dates from the Roman imperial period. As the city visited by Saint Paul on his first missionary journey, it also matters in the history of Christianity.
The emblem of the site is the Hellenistic gate with two round towers and the colonnaded street beyond it. Running roughly 300 metres, the street once had a water channel down its middle; the rows of columns and shop remains still stand on either side. The Kestros Fountain (Nymphaeum) at its end is the grandest example of the city's water architecture.
The stadium at the entrance, seating 12,000, is among the best-preserved ancient stadiums in Anatolia. The vaulted rooms beneath the seating served as shops in antiquity and can still be walked through. Most sculpture from the Perge excavations is displayed in the Antalya Museum; visiting both the same day gives the fuller picture.
- Best time
- Early morning
- Budget
- Budget
Tips
- Plan it with the Antalya Museum; Perge's sculptures are exhibited there.
- The site is large and offers no shade; early morning is far more comfortable.
- Can be combined with Aspendos and Side as a one-day ancient-cities route.