One of Turkey's best preserved ancient cities. Termessos Ancient City, has a rightful reputation as the city that Alexander the Great could not get in history. Termessos Ancient City, located in a sheltered valley within the Güllük Mountain Termessos National Park, is difficult to visit due to its steep location; However, some structures such as theater, rock tombs, necropolis and temples are still intact. Ancient cities that must be seen in Turkey is among. Termessos Ancient City history, places to see, where, how to get there, entrance fee, map and much more is waiting for you in this article. Ancient city lovers should not miss it!
What You Will Find In This Article
Termessos Ancient City History
Termessos Ancient City is one of the Pisidian cities known for establishing cities in hard-to-reach places, not Lycia or Pamphylia, like many ancient cities in Antalya. Although the exact foundation date of the ancient city is not known, it is estimated that it was founded by the Solyms, who are descendants of the Luwians, who are among the oldest peoples of Anatolia.
There are many legends about Termessos. However, it is not possible to verify these legends, as no excavations have been carried out in the city. The most known of the legends; Alexander the Great besieged the city and could not take the city thanks to the strong defense of the Termessians. When Alexander could not take the city, he turned his ambition to another Pisidian city. sagalassosand took the city.
After Alexander's death, Termessos continues to live independently within itself by signing a "friendship and alliance" agreement with the Roman Empire. However, there is no record of the Eastern Roman period and after.
Places to See in Termessos Ancient City
You reach Termessos Ancient City through Güllük Park Termessos National Park. At the first entry point, there is a picnic area among the pine trees. This is a pretty big area. It was pretty quiet when I went during the pandemic and early hours but I'm sure it gets crowded during the summer time, peak seasons and weekends. Better ask if there are brochures or maps at the checkpoint at the entrance. It wasn't there when I went because it was out of season, but the officer who saw that I was interested gave me a lot of information about the city.
After entering the national park, you climb the 9 kilometers long Güllük Mountain with your vehicle. The road is narrow, most places are wide enough for only one vehicle to pass, so be careful not to speed on the descent and ascent and do not forget to give priority to the vehicles going up.
After climbing through the national park entrance, this time you will reach the ancient city entrance. Here, there is a parking area where you can park your vehicle, a toilet and an attendant's booth. When I reached the entrance around 10:00 in the morning, there were 3-4 vehicles, but when I was returning around 14:00, the parking lot was full and there were mostly people who came to picnic instead of visiting the ancient city. Although it is a very nice area to have a picnic, it is unthinkable not to visit the ancient city while you are here.
Temple of Artemis – Hadrian's Gate
When you come to the entrance of the ancient city, past the picnickers and the parking lot, you will encounter the magnificent structure you see in the photo. This structure is the Temple of Artemis. In ancient times, each city had a guardian god, the protector of Termessos was Artemis, and there was another Artemis Temple in the upper city. The door remaining from the temple, which was built in honor of the famous Roman Emperor Hadrian, is called Hadrian's Gate.
Lower City Walls
Almost all ancient cities have a lower city and an upper city (Acropolis). Both the lower and upper city have defensive walls. There is a similar situation in the ancient city of Termessos. The mountainous region where the city was settled was surrounded by walls for protection. Some of the walls are waiting for the city intact.
We start climbing next to the lower walls, this time, of course. In the forest, a 10-minute climb along the path awaits you, in order to reach the first ruin. The view of the path is very beautiful, it is shaded because it is in the forest.
Termessos Bath
At the end of the climb, the first building we come across on the left is the ruins of the bath, or Gymnasium. Although only one floor of the building is standing, it is understood that it has two floors. There are shops behind the bath structure. Many rooms and halls can be seen in the bath structure. If the excavations continue and are restored, there will probably be much more to come.
Termessos City Drainage System
When we continue up the bath, we come across the upper city walls on the left. There is a point to note here: You will see some holes in the walls. These holes are the upper city's drainage system. It was built to prevent flooding. When you get to the other side of the wall, you will see the remains of the sewer system. The fact that they discovered the importance of water and sewage systems thousands of years ago and planned their cities accordingly manages to impress me every time. I can't help but wonder why our cities are not planned like this now.
Termessos Colonnaded Street
After you pass the upper city walls, you will see the Colonnaded Street on your left. This was the street where the wealthy of the city lived and shopped. You can imagine it like today's Nisantasi or Bagdat Street. Since the view of this street overlooks the valley below, it should be said that the houses have a view.
While Colonnaded Street remains on the right, we follow the theater sign from the left. We will come this way again. Because the way back passes through here.
Termessos Ancient Theater
When you follow the path, this time the Agora on the right and the ancient theater on the left. Of course, it makes sense to go first to the theatre, one of the most impressive buildings of Termessos. The theater, which has the characteristics of a classical Hellenistic theater, has a capacity of 4-5 thousand people. There is a magnificent view of the Pamphylia Plain from where the theater is, it is a good idea to take a break here to enjoy this view that extends to the Gulf of Antalya. At an altitude of 1150 meters, this theater resembles an eagle's nest.
Termessos Agora
On the plain right next to the theater is the city's market place, the Agora. The Small Temple of Artemis is also located here. Three sides of the Agora are surrounded by two-storey stoas. There is the Odeon between the Agora and the Theater. There are temples around the Odeon. One of these temples is the Small Temple of Artemis.
*Stoa: It is the name given to the covered, columned galleries located next to a street or agora in ancient Greek architecture.
Founder's House
You will see the Founder's House sign among the trees as you head back from the Agora to the Colonnaded Street. Although there are only piles of stones and a well left from the house, it is estimated that a Roman type villa was located here. The height of the building was 6 meters and the name of the Founder's House was given from the inscription next to the door.
Hero's Tomb
When you take the Founder's House behind you, you will see the Hero's Tomb built on a rock mass. It was named the Hero's Tomb because of its flamboyant appearance and the warrior figures on it.
cisterns
I mentioned that the people of Termessos attach great importance to the issue of water and sewerage. There are 5 large cisterns of different sizes, interchangeable, in the northwest of the Agora. These cisterns were used to take water until recently, but are now closed with iron bars for security reasons.
Corinthian Temple
The Corinthian Temple is on the corner of the road that leads from the Agora to the Colonnaded Street. It is estimated that this temple was built in the 2nd or 3rd century. It is not clear to whom it was dedicated.
Upper Necropolis
As you continue upwards from the Corinthian Temple, you will come to a fork in the road. The road on the left leads to the Upper Necropolis. This is the largest cemetery in the city. There were about 1000 sarcophagi. I didn't go here because of timing, but if you don't have a time problem, you can take this place into your plan.
Alketas Tomb and Viewpoint
If you continue on the right instead of the Necropolis on the left at the crossroads, the road will take you to the Alketas Tomb. As the path is quite narrow and there is nothing else around, “I wonder if I got lost?” one can't help but think, but trust the path and keep going. At some point you will see the signage again.
Alketas was one of the important generals of Alexander the Great. However, when Alexander died and fights for the throne began, he fled the country to save his head and took refuge in Termessos, the city Alexander could not take. However, his rivals came to the Termessos gate and demanded Alketas. According to the legend, there was a disagreement between the notables of the city and the young people. The old people handed over Alketas, the young people who were upset about this situation brought his body to the city and built a mausoleum for him. Another legend says that Alketas killed himself instead of surrendering, and the people of Termessos built a mausoleum in his memory. The soldier and eagle figures on the tomb draw attention.
As you climb up to the Tomb of Alketas, you will see a path leading to the clearing on the right as you descend. This trail will take you to the viewing point. This is the most beautiful view point of Termessos. It has a very wide view from the theater to the temples and the Gulf of Antalya.
Termessos Rock Tombs
When you come down from the Tomb of Alketas and come to the Colonnaded Street, this time you have to follow the “parking lot” sign on the left to see the Rock Tombs. On the other side of the valley, you will encounter many tombs carved into the rock wall along the path. Both sarcophagi and rock tombs will accompany you on the way. Since the path is very steep and has lots of stones, it is a path that you need to descend carefully. Visitors to the ancient city don't go this way much, but if you like these kinds of ruins, you should definitely add the rock tombs to your route.
By following the path in front of the rock tombs, you reach Hadrian's Gate and then the entrance of the ancient city.
Lower Necropolis – Lion Sarcophagus
At the entrance of the ancient city, there is the lower Necropolis, which is thought to be a cemetery belonging to the soldiers. There are around 200 sarcophagi here. The most famous of these sarcophagi are the Lion Sarcophagus with lion motifs and the Dolphin Sarcophagus with dolphin patterns. There are many sarcophagi in the cemetery and one wants to examine them all. This is an amazing cemetery.
Some finds unearthed from the Termessos Ancient City are on display in the Antalya Museum. If you are going to spend time in the city center of Antalya, I recommend you to visit the museum. Central places to visit in Antalya Check out my post too.
Together with the Lower Necropolis, we have finished the places to see in the Ancient City of Termessos. If you are planning a trip to Termessos, you can add Güver Canyon and Karain Cave to your plan. However, as of 2021, Güver Canyon is closed to visitors. It's a good idea to check if it's open before you go.
What You Need to Know Before Going to the Ancient City of Termessos
The ancient city is located on steep slopes, so you follow a path while walking and you have to go through a steep ascent first and steep descents on the way back. It is critical that you come knowing this. My other suggestions are below.
- The city is at an altitude of 1150 meters, so it is quite cool compared to Antalya. Don't forget to dress tight, especially if you're going in winter or spring.
- There are no facilities in the city, so be sure to take enough water with you. It can be a pity not to find water after climbing steep slopes.
- You will always follow the stony paths to visit the city. That's why you should definitely come with comfortable sneakers.
- If you do not trust your knees and waist, you can take a stick/cane with you to climb and descend steep paths. I've seen a lot of people go out with a baton, it makes a lot of sense.
- It takes at least 4 hours to tour the ancient city properly, and it's up to you to extend it. It takes energy to travel the difficult paths for such a long time, so take something to eat, food that will give you energy.
- There are recreation areas and picnic areas both at the entrance of the national park and at the entrance of the ancient city. Please do not leave your garbage in places where you picnic or visit.
Termessos Ancient City Map
Termessos Ancient City is spread over a wide and very steep area. Termessos map It will be useful to choose the places above. The ancient city brochure of the Ministry of Culture was gone when I went in March 2021. When I said I don't have a time problem, he made me walk everywhere except the Necropolis. Thankfully, I drank a tea of fatigue when I finished visiting the city. Let your ears ring.
Where is Termessos Ancient City?
Termessos is located in the Mediterranean Region, within the borders of our Antalya province. To go to the ancient city, at the 26th kilometer on the Antalya-Korkuteli road, you will see the sign to the left towards Güllük Mountain. By following the road, first entering the Güllük Mountain National Park, the ancient city is reached by climbing the mountain for 9 kilometers.
Termessos Ancient City click for location.
How to Get to Termessos Ancient City?
The easiest way to go to Termessos is to go with your private vehicle. If you do not have a private car, you can join daily tours or rent a car from Antalya center.
If you want to go by public transport; You can reach the turn by the Korkuteli minibuses from the Antalya bus terminal, and after getting off at the turn, you can take a taxi or hitchhike to the ancient city.
Termessos Antique City 2021 Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours
Termessos Antique City 2021 entrance fee is only 12.5 TL. If you have a Museum Card, you can visit it for free.
Termessos Ancient City can be visited between 10:00-15:30 in the summer period (between April and October), and between 09:30 and 17:30 in the winter period (between November and March).
Termessos Ancient City Video
On the 4th day of my Antalya trip, I had Güver Cliff, Termessos Ancient City and Karain Cave on my route. Güver Cliff is closed to visitors, so you can watch the video below about Termessos Ancient City and Karain Cave. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel too!
Termessos Ancient City Photos
You can find the photographs of the places in the city plan of the Termessos Ancient City below.
Lion Sarcophagus Termessos Ancient City, Antalya Termessos Rock Tombs Termessos View Point Tomb of Alketas Tomb of Alketas cisterns Corinthian Temple Hero's Tomb 
Founder's House Termessos Agora Termessos Ancient City 
Colonnaded Street City Drainage System Exit Trail Upper City Walls Bath Ruins Aqueducts
- For my instant posts follow my instagram account.
- To watch more videos subscribe to my youtube account.