Termessos Ancient City

Termessos, perched at approximately 1,050 meters elevation in the Güllük Dağı National Park about 30 kilometers northwest of Antalya, is one of the most dramatically sited ancient cities in Turkey. The Pisidian city was never conquered by Alexander the Great despite his siege attempt in 333 BC, a fact that the ancient inhabitants commemorated on their coinage. Today the ruins are reached by a hiking trail that ascends through fragrant pine forest from the national park entrance, a climb that typically takes 30 to 45 minutes each way and is part of the experience. The trail passes through the lower city gates and city walls before opening to the main archaeological area. The theatre, one of the finest in Asia Minor, sits on a natural hillside at a point where the stage frame offers views across the mountain ridges and down toward the sea on clear days. The odeon, gymnasium, temples, and cisterns are scattered across a compact area with the forest growing between and through the ruins, giving Termessos an unexcavated, raw atmosphere absent from more manicured sites. The necropolis to the north contains hundreds of sarcophagi, some toppled by earthquakes and lying at angles among the trees, creating a haunting visual. Wildlife including birds of prey and tortoises inhabit the site. There are no refreshment facilities inside the ruins, and the mountain weather can change rapidly. Visitors should bring sufficient water, wear hiking boots, and allow a full three to four hours for the hike and exploration combined. The national park entry ticket covers access to the ruins.