A visit to the ancient ruin of Termessos is one of the most exciting excursions in the whole of Türkiye.
Known as the Eagle’s Nest, Termessos was built high in the mountains behind Antalya, in a strategic position on the shipping route to the Aegean.
The Greek historian Arrian said of the location that “the two cliffs make a sort of natural gateway so that quite a small force can, by holding the high ground, prevent an army from getting through”.
The city’s formidable defences convinced Alexander the Great not to attempt to take the city during the 4th century BC.
Exploring the site involves some steep climbing and good, comfortable footwear is a necessity.
A well-signposted path leads through the defences of the lower and upper city walls to reach the first main monument, the gymnasium, built in the impressive dark grey stone that is characteristic of Termessos.
Higher up, the theatre has the most impressive setting of any in Türkiye, with splendid views across the mountains.
A complex of temples lies a little higher up near the market-place and beyond this on the hillside lies the extraordinary acropolis, littered with hundreds of sarcophagi from the first three centuries AD, presenting an apocalyptic vision.
Inhabited in ancient times by people of legendary ferocity – known as Solymians, under which the city lies – Termessos also has some of the most formidable natural defences of any ancient city in Türkiye.
Homer tells us that one of the trio of seemingly impossible tasks allotted to the young mythological hero Bellerophon was the slaying of the Solymi.
Termessos lies in Güllük Dağ National Park, which includes an area for breeding wild goats and deer, and may be the last refuge of the Anatolian lynx. The area is also known for it’s butterflies.
Photographs by Norman Clark
Sources: DK Eyewitness Travel – Turkey/AA Explorer Turkey
