The
ancient Phocaea, Foca, once formed part of
the Ionian Federation. Today it is a
Modern lively holiday town on two deep
bays. The pleasant accommodations, clean
beaches and inviting restaurants make it
an attractive holiday spot. Those seeking
the perfect tan can find it on the natural
rock terraces of the Siren Islands.
Bergama (Pergamum or Pergamon), once a
great center of culture survives as one of
Turkey's finest archeological sites. In
the acropolis, above the modem town, are
the remains of the celebrated library, a
steep and impressive theatre, the temples
of Trajan and
Dionysus,
the monumental altar of Zeus, the
sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium laid out
on three terraces and the Agora. The
Asclepion, located to the southwest of the
lower city, was a sanctuary dedicated to
the god of health, Asclepios.
The whole town itself is an Archaeological
and Ethnographical Museum and nearby there
is the site of a temple dedicated to
Serapis, the god of the underground who
was also worshiped in Egypt as Osiris The
temple was subsequently converted by the
Byzantines into a basilica. |