Let’s uncover the unknowns about Alexandria Troas, one of the world’s first metropolises. What you don’t know about Alexandria Troas, the once glorious city that lost its possible capital title to Constantinople aka Istanbul?
- The first city to adopt Christianity
- The place where Anatolia’s largest bath structure is built
- One of the world’s first metropolises
Alexandria Troas is an ancient city located within the borders of Dalyan Village Çanakkale. The area, where transportation is very easy, is approximately 65 km away from Çanakkale city center.
Alexandria Troas aerial view
Dalyan Village, which was in the ancient city of Alexandria Troas, is a fishing and summer village by the sea today, with emerald green olive trees on one side and a view of Bozcaada (Tenedos) on one side. In addition, the village, which also has the ruins of an ancient harbor on the coast, has a high appeal with the heart-shaped Pink Lake and Kestanbol Thermal Spring located just ahead. The ancient ruins and today’s life are intertwined in a contrasting way, adding a much more mysterious beauty to the village.
It is also very close to the Odunluk Pier, which was once used to transport passengers and vehicles to Bozcaada (Tenedos). Despite this, many visitors have passed by without knowing this place without seeing it. Those who know have enjoyed this unique beauty. This village, which is almost a paradise with its history, architecture and natural beauties, was once in the center of one of the most crowded cities in the world, Alexandria Troas.
The city, which we can visit in three parts as the Dalyan coast, the ancient port, the excavation site and the Atticus Bath, has a marvelous position that will surprise the visitors among the olive and oak trees. This historical city, which once connected the east and the west, became one of the most popular metropolises in the world due to its commercial wealth.
Founding of Alexandria Troas
It all started with the death of Alexander the Great in Babylon. His empire, which stretched from Macedonia to India, was divided among Alexander’s commanders, as he had no heirs behind. Its founder was the commander Antigoneia. He also gave his name here. Antigoneia forced the surrounding Neandria, Larissa, Hamaxitos, Kebren, Skepsis and other settlers to migrate to this newly established city.
Alexandria Troas and Ancient port in ancient times on the map
This migration was to create an economically and strategically strong city. It had achieved its purpose. However, later the city came under the control of another commander, Lysimakhos. Its name was changed to Alexandria Troas in memory of Alexander the Great.
The city, which was under the rule of Seleukos for a while and then the Kingdom of Pergamon, was left to the Roman Empire with the will of the King of Pergamon.
One of the World’s First Metropolises
By the order of the Roman Emperor Augustos, retired soldiers were brought here and a large Roman colony was established. It was given a lot of importance as it was the most distant colony in the east. The city also had the “Ius Italicum” rights, which were only given to some cities. This is the highest freedom a city can achieve. According to these rights, the city is governed by Roman law; Those born were considered Roman citizens. They were also exempt from certain taxes.
All of these contributed to the enrichment of the city. While the world population was around 40 million, the population of this place has reached 100 thousand. This is a very important feature that put Alexandrea Troas among the metropolises of the period.
During the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the city was almost completely rebuilt. Granite columns began to be exported from Troas to all parts of the Roman Empire. Some of them can still be seen clearly near Yahya Çavuş Village today.
However, with the weakening of Rome, the empire passed under the control of Constantine I. Constantine, while trying to empower the empire again, also began to look for a new capital in a secure area. Finally, he decided to make Alexandria Troas the capital among his rivals such as Sicily, Corsica and Carthage.
Ruins of Alexandria Troas
He started construction activities, but later changed his mind and moved the capital to Constantinople. Nobles and rich people in the city settled in Constantinople. Unfortunately, major earthquakes also caused the city to be abandoned. Afterwards, the great metropolis Alexandria Troas, which was included in the borders of the Ottoman Empire, lost its importance and the ruins of the city were used as a quarry. For example, the Valide Sultan Mosque in Üsküdar is one of the known examples. During this period, it was known as Kestamboli and Old Istanbul.
Connecting the east and the west, this metropolis carried the mystical products of the east to Europe via ships. Therefore, according to that period, it had an intense concentration of people and trade. In addition, being the first city to accept Christianity increased the importance of the city.
The First City to Adopt Christianity
Saints Paul and Alexandria Troas
Saint Paul, one of the apostles of Jesus, went on three holy missions to spread Christianity. And two of them were passing through Alexandria Troas.
When he came here in 52 AD, he had originally planned to go to Europe. But upon hearing of his arrival, he decided to give a sermon to the public. Meanwhile, a boy named Eutychus, who went to the window to listen to him, fell to his death. Saint Paul prayed and embraced the child, and Eutychus was revived.
Alexandria Troas is the first city to adopt Christianity
The people who witnessed this event also became Christians… One of the rumors here is that Paulos washed the child’s body in the water of the Kestanbol Hot Spring, which is very close to the ancient city, and the child was revived in this way. Perhaps after that, the water of the spa became quite famous with the name “water that resurrects the dead”.
Three Historic Sites You Must See While Visiting Alexandria Troas
Ancient Harbor
When we come to Dalyan Village, the first place we should see is the ancient port. The granite stones of Alexandria Troas, which can be seen in the harbor today, were well known in ancient times and were exported to Rome. By the way, when you come to summer, swimming among these ruins, against the magnificent view of Bozcaada, will definitely be a pleasant experience.
Ancient Harbor of Alexandria Troas
Excavation Site
You have the chance to see the ruins of this once great metropolis every hour of the day. The asphalt road following the signs from the village will lead you to the excavation area first. This area, which can be visited without a ticket for now, offers visitors a breathtaking visual feast among the natural terraces. With an area of 400 hectares and 8 kilometers of walls, this gigantic city will appear here in its tiny form.
Ancient Roman road in Alexandria Troas
The excavation area has a very concrete visual with its plan type similar to the Pantheon in Rome, its podium hall, agora, odeon, temple, round courtyard and many other ruins. In addition, the forum, the eastern gate and the walls can be seen very closely.
Herodes Atticus Bath: The Largest Known Bath in Anatolia
After going a little further from the excavation area, the remains of the bath, which is still standing with its large walls, can be seen spread over a wide area. The Bath of Atticus was named after the Roman Senator Atticus, who built it. Atticus wrote a letter to Emperor Hadrian and demanded 3 million drachmas to save the city from thirst. Hadrian accepted this demand, but when the amount of expenditure exceeded almost double this amount, he gave up on it because it would not be right to spend the tax collected from five hundred cities in one city.
Herodes Atticus Bath in Alexandria Troas
Atticus, by spending all the expenditures over 3 million drachmas from his own account, completely solved the water problem of the city with the aqueducts extending from the Kaz Mountains and the bath. Right at the foot of this building, which is known as the biggest bath in Anatolia, there is another very nice structure called Nymphaion among the trees.
Monumental Fountain Nymphaion
Nymphs are divine female beings who live in mountains, rivers, and the sea. They were believed to be protective goddesses. For this reason, monumental fountains bearing their names were built. The monumental fountain here is one of them. It is made of water-resistant stones, facing the sea. Although its flamboyant architecture is lost among the trees and bushes, the eyes that look carefully will find this beautiful fountain among the greenery.
How marvelous isn’t it? You can experience many of these sites during your Turkey visit by Traveller’s Route. Please check our Turkey tours below, and please let us know for your any requests via [email protected] OR via WhatsApp +90 507 348 32 22.
