Parchment, or 'pergamena', was allegedly invented here after a trade dispute restricted the supply of Egyptian papyrus.
The city's library once housed 200,000 scrolls, which were reportedly given to Cleopatra by Mark Antony as a wedding gift.
The Great Altar of Pergamon was constructed to celebrate victories over the Galatians, featuring a massive relief depicting the Gigantomachy.
The theater's seating capacity was approximately 10,000 people, organized into 78 rows.
A specialized water supply system, the Madradağ Aqueduct, was engineered to transport water over 40 kilometers to the city's highest points.
The Acropolis of Pergamon is a hilltop archaeological site in Bergama, Turkey, that served as the capital of the Attalid dynasty during the Hellenistic period. The site is uniquely organized on steep, artificial terraces that ascend the mountain to provide defensive advantages and a dramatic urban silhouette. It contains the ruins of the Library of Pergamon, once the second-largest library in the ancient world after Alexandria. The steep Theater of Pergamon, carved directly into the hillside, is noted for having one of the steepest gradients of any ancient theater. Visitors encounter the base of the Great Altar of Pergamon, though the main friezes were moved to Berlin in the late 19th century. The site also features the foundations of the Temple of Trajan, a Roman-era structure supported by a complex vaulted substructure. The Acropolis remains a protected UNESCO World Heritage site due to its layered Hellenistic and Roman architecture.
The highest terrace near the Temple of Trajan, which offers a panoramic vista of the surrounding valley and the modern city of Bergama.
Wear shoes with excellent grip, as the ancient marble and stone pathways are steep and can be slippery.
Bring a portable sun umbrella or a wide-brimmed hat, as there is almost zero shade across the high exposed plateau.
Bring sufficient water, as there are no kiosks once you pass the entry gate at the top.
Start your visit at the upper terraces to allow gravity to assist your descent through the complex.
Attempting to walk the entire distance from the Bergama town center to the summit in summer heat; use a vehicle to reach the upper parking area.
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Avoid sitting or climbing on the ancient temple foundations or crumbling stone walls.
