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Assos Ancient City is an ancient city of great historical and archaeological importance, located in the village of Behramkale in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale.

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Assos was one of the important cities of the Troad region in ancient times, founded in the 6th century BC by the Aeolians who came from the island of Lesbos. The city was built on a volcanic hill and, thanks to its strategic location, controlled the Aegean Sea trade routes. The most striking structure of the ancient city is the Temple of Athena, dating back to the 6th century BC. This temple, built in the Doric order, is one of the finest examples of Doric architecture in Anatolia and still impresses visitors with its standing columns. Around the temple, there are important public buildings such as the agora, bouleuterion (council building), gymnasium, and theater. The theater, in particular, offers a unique view with its sea-facing location and hosted important performances in ancient times with a capacity of approximately 5,000 people. Assos is also known as the place where the famous philosopher Aristotle lived for a period and established a school of philosophy. Aristotle, who lived here between 347-345 BC, conducted important studies on biology and zoology. The city's necropolis (cemetery area) is particularly famous for its sarcophagi. Assos sarcophagi are also known as 'flesh-eating sarcophagi' because they rapidly decomposed the bodies inside them...

tips_and_updatesVisit Tips

• Wear a hat and sunscreen, especially in summer.
• Choose comfortable walking shoes, as the ancient city covers a large area.
• Bring your own water and snacks.
• Prefer evening hours to watch the sunset at the Temple of Athena; the view is magnificent.
• After visiting the ancient city, try local delicacies at the restaurants in Behramkale village.