Ancient City of Perge

Perge Ancient City is an archaeological site located in the Aksu district of Antalya province in Türkiye, 17 kilometers east of the city center on place land area important. The city’s existence during the Hittite period under the name “Parha” indicates that its prehistoric settlement extends as far back as the Early Bronze Age, as evidenced by artifacts found on the acropolis ceramic. Perge flourished during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods and is recognized as one of the most orderly ancient cities in Anatolia due to its architecture, marble sculpture and urban planning.

Perge Ancient City (Culture Portal)

History and Development

Perge’s history begins with its mention in Hittite texts as “Parha” and extends back to the Early Bronze Age. City experienced its first golden age during the Hellenistic period (3rd century BCE), when it was designed as a planned city. The Hellenistic Towers are surviving symbols of this era. However, Perge reached its peak during the Roman Empire, in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE under the “Pax Romana.” During this period, the city achieved a high standard of living due to its geopolitical position and wealth; theater, stadium, the agora, baths, water aqueducts and monumental fountains were constructed. Its final period of prosperity occurred under the Byzantine Empire, when it became a pilgrimage site for important figures such as Saint Paul due to the influence of Christianity, and basilicas were built in the 5th and 6th centuries CE, earning it the title of “Metropolitan City.”

Urban Plan and Structures

Perge’s urban layout consists of two parallel colonnaded streets, one running east-west and the other north-south. The water channel that runs the full length of the north-south axis is one of the features reinforcing the city’s identity as a “city of water.” This system is supported by four monumental fountain (such as the Kestros Fountain and the Caracalla Fountain) and two large baths. Key structures in the city include:

• Theatre: The theatre, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, is notable for its well-preserved structure. The two-story stage building, constructed in the 2nd century CE, was elaborately decorated. Statues unearthed here are displayed in the “Perge Theatre Hall” at the Antalya Museum and reflect the unique school of Perge sculpture.
• Stadium: The stadium, built in the 2nd century BCE north of the theatre, has a capacity of 12,000 and is one of the best-preserved stadiums in Türkiye.
• Agora and Macellum: The planned Rectangle agora served as the city’s commercial and social center.
• Hellenistic Towers: These are the symbolic structures remaining from the Hellenistic period.
• Baths and Monumental Fountains: The South Baths and water-related aesthetic arrangements reflect Roman period influences.
• Defensive System: The walls, towers and gates, originally built during the Hellenistic period and later repaired during the Roman and Late Antiquity periods, provide important insights into ancient military architecture.

Excavation Works

Excavations at Perge were initiated in 1946 by Ord. Prof. Dr. Arif Müfid Mansel. Work continued in the 1970s under Prof. Dr. Jale İnan and in the 1990s under Prof. Dr. Haluk Abbasoğlu, and has been carried out since 2012 by the Antalya Museum Directorate. Excavations have revealed the Colonnaded Western Street, the water channel, the Caracalla Fountain, the Western Necropolis and the area extending from the Western Gate to the City Square; restoration of the Hellenistic Towers and the Agora has been completed. The theatre was opened to visitors in 2017.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Perge is also a significant center in Christian history. It is known that Saint Paul arrived in the city via the Aksu River during his missionary journeys and traveled from here to Pisidian Antioch. Its mention in the Bible has made Perge and the Aksu River one of the sacred sites of Christianity.

Current Status

Perge Ancient City stands out for its urban planning features from the Late Antiquity, Hellenistic and especially Roman Imperial periods. The city, proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, attracts visitors with its architectural richness, sculptural works and well-preserved structures. Artifacts from Perge displayed at the Antalya Museum reveal the city’s artistic heritage.

Perge continues to exist as one of the most important ancient cities in Anatolia, through the phases it has undergone throughout history and the traces it has left behind.