Overview:

: Assos is an ancient settlement on the Aegean coast of Turkey near the modern town of Behramkale in Biga District, Çanakkale Province. It was founded by colonists from the nearby ancient Greek city of Lesbos in the 8th century BC and was originally known as Aethos. The ruins of Assos include a temple of Athena, theaters, baths, an agora, and the necropolis of Assos as well as other monuments. The ruins of the ancient city are now a recognized archaeological site and a popular tourist destination. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Rupert Brooke memorial: Located a few hundred metres south of the main ruins of Assos, this impressive stone memorial was erected in memory of the English poet and soldier Rupert Brooke. Brooke died of blood poisoning in 1915 while on active duty during World War I. The memorial sits on a hill that overlooks the ruins and the landscape of Assos. 2. Ancient Temple of Athena: Assos is home to the remains of one of the most important ancient temples of Athena. Located directly on the edge of the harbour and next to the ancient agora, the temple was built in the 5th century BC by the Ionian Greeks. The temple’s original purpose was to commemorate the victory of the Athenians in the Battle of Assos and to celebrate their goddess. 3. Lyceum: The Lyceum of Assos was the first university in Anatolia. It was founded by the philosopher Aristotle, who began teaching here in 348 BC, and it quickly became an educational centre of the ancient world. Visitors can explore the remains of the building, the courtyard and the portico. 4. Agora: The Agora was the central public space of the ancient city. It was a place where people gathered to buy and sell goods, exchange news and conduct the important political and legal matters of the day. The Agora is one of the best preserved Hellenistic sites in the region, and many of the original buildings and streets are still visible. 5. Theatre: Adjacent to the Agora is the large theatre of Assos. Built in the 4th century BC, the theatre is carved out of the rocky hillside and has an impressive capacity of up to 7000 people. It is still used for modern theatrical performances. 6. Roman Baths: Remains of a Roman bathhouse can still be seen in Assos. Originally constructed in the 3rd century BC, the bathhouse would have been used for purification and relaxation. The baths were used up until the 6th century AD and there are still some of the original mosaics and frescoes that survive. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

The ruins of Assos are located in Canakkale province, north-western Turkey, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Assos was an ancient city founded in the 7th century BC by colonists from Lesbos. It was a prominent trading city and strategic naval base located in the Troas region, close to the Troad peninsula. The city was renowned for its celebrated temple to Athena, originally built in the 6th century BC, and the impressive Temple of Dionysos, a complex dedicated to the god of wine, both of which are still visible today. In 357 BC the city became a member of the Athenian League. It attracted many scholars, including Aristotle who lived here between 353 and 345 BC. After the death of Alexander the Great, it was controlled by Antigonus I Monophthalmus, and it became a renowned center of learning in the Hellenistic period. Assos was taken by the Romans in 129 BC and became part of the Roman province of Asia Minor. It became a bishopric in the 4th century AD, and remained so until the 8th century. The ruins of Assos, which include a theatre, the Temple of Athena and the Temple of Dionysos, remain very well preserved and are now a popular tourist site. Its walls, towers, and ramparts are still visible, and its harbor is a beautiful ruin. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Assos is an ancient Greek and Roman city located in modern day Turkey. 2. The city was founded by Aeolian settlers from nearby Lesbos in the 11th century BC. 3. Assos was part of the region of Troas in the Classical era, and one of the leading cities of the Aeolian League. 4. It was renowned for its intellectualism and was home to the philosopher Aristotle from 335 to 323 BC. 5. The city was conquered by the Persians and Alexander the Great. 6. It was destroyed in the 4th century AD by an earthquake and rebuilt by the Byzantines. 7. The ruins of Assos, including the Temple of Athena, are a popular tourist destination today. 8. Assos was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era