Day 12: Assos

Aristotle statue at the entrance of the village

Assos, Behramkale with its Ottoman name is an ancient settlement founded from 1000 to 900 BC. It is also a village where Aristotle opened an academy of philosophy and gave lessons. It is located to the sides of the hill where there are the ruins of temple of Athena. There are also the ruins of the ancient city down hill near the ancient harbour where the archeological excavations are still going on. The most amazing remains are the city walls, entrance of the necropolice and the amphiteatre.

temple of Athena

gates of the Necropolis

amphiteatre from web

Behramkale village is still active and the old small streets of it is full of toursitic stands selling handmade touristic stuff.

Behramkale village from the temple of Athena

touristic stuff hanged to the village walls following the route of temple

village square

Behramkale Hüdavendigar mosque from Ottoman times

There are lots of things to say and to see about Assos but it was a disappointment for me about my country and its attention to history. I walked around the ruins of the temple and the ancient city but couldn't find any information about what they are or why they were there. I was walking maybe at the streets of old houses or passing in front of a stoa but I couldn't even understand that. I had to buy a book about Assos to learn what is what and where and also learned that the stone relieves of the temple were given as a present to France by one of the Ottoman sultans. This also shows how important the history for my people. Anyway, if you will come to this part of Turkiye, you should definetely visit Assos. Maybe things can change at the future as I still have hope.