Pergamon – the Altar that stands in Berlin

Many of our guests know the Pergamon Altar from Berlin. In Bergama we stand where it stood for almost two thousand years: on the acropolis of a royal city that competed with Alexandria for the greatest library in the world. We fly early in the morning from Istanbul to Izmir, drive to Bergama and spend a day among royal palaces, temples and the sanctuary of the healing god Asclepius.

Highlights

• Domestic flight Istanbul – Izmir and back, departing from IST or SAW
• Altar terrace: where the Pergamon Altar stood, today in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin
• The steepest theatre of the ancient world for about 10,000 spectators
• Trajaneum with marble columns high above the plain, remains of the famous library
• Asklepieion: healing centre of antiquity, where the physician Galen worked
• Red Basilica (Serapeum) in the lower town

Full description

Pergamon was the capital of the Attalids, a royal house that sought world renown through art, science and building. Legend says the people of Pergamon invented parchment when Egypt stopped exporting papyrus. On the acropolis we see the altar terrace, whose frieze of the battle of gods and giants Carl Humann took to Berlin in the 19th century, the theatre built into the slope, the Trajaneum and the remains of the library.

Down on the plain lies the Asklepieion, one of the most important healing centres of antiquity: Sacred Way, theatre, healing spring and the underground passage where the sick hoped for dreams. Here worked Galen, whose teachings shaped medicine for fifteen centuries. On request we finish at the Red Basilica. Pergamon is also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation – "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:13).

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Flight Istanbul – Izmir
  Early pick-up at your hotel, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Izmir (ADB), drive to Bergama (approx. 1 hr 30 min).
• 2 · Acropolis of Pergamon
  Altar terrace, sanctuary of Athena, library, Trajaneum, theatre, royal palaces; up by cable car.
• 3 · Asklepieion
  Sacred Way, theatre, healing spring, cryptoporticus and round building.
• 4 · Red Basilica (optional)
  Huge brick temple for Egyptian gods, later a church.
• 5 · Flight back to Istanbul
  Drive to Izmir airport (ADB), evening flight (approx. 8 pm), in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Domestic flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Izmir (ADB) and back
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from and to Izmir airport (ADB) for the day programme
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day

Not included

• Entrance fees (Acropolis, Asklepieion, Red Basilica) and cable car
• Lunch, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up early in the morning at your hotel in Istanbul and bring you back there at the end of the tour. Departure airport is either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• Long day – Early pick-up, back at the hotel late in the evening.
• MuseumPass Aegean – Valid among others for Pergamon (Acropolis and Asklepieion). Can be added in the booking form; paid in full with the deposit and non-refundable. Children under 8 do not need a pass.
• Sun protection and water – There is little shade on the acropolis; paths are stony and partly steep.