The ancient city of Termessos is located at a distance of 34 kilometers from Antalya in the Western part of the natural Park of Gulluk Dagi, on a plateau at an altitude of 1050 meters. He is one of the most significant ancient cities of Turkey and it occupies a very large area.

The name of the city Termessos originates from the Etruscan language. In translation, this word means "high fortress in the mountains." It is believed that at the site of Termessos the first human settlements have existed around the 3rd Millennium BC, and the city was formed in the early 6th century BC. Its heyday policy reached in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC, then its population has increased to 150 thousand people. As Termessos was an ally of Rome, the Roman Senate he was given independent status. Because of this, the city was able to mint coins and to portray them Roman emperors.

Almost all the buildings that have survived to our days, were built during this period. The town fell into decline in the 9th century BC, when there passed some of the strongest earthquakes were broken and the water system of the city. Local residents moved to other Lycian cities. In the same form in which Termessos was left after the earthquake, he came to us.

The location of ancient Termessos was very thoughtful and have taken advantage of the natural landscape for defensive purposes. Natural rock formations protected him from the Eastern and Western sides and the entrances to the valley was shielded high and strong upper and lower walls. Log in Termessos was only passing through the city gate, located in the walls. Here it was impossible to deliver heavy machinery to crack the walls and storm the city under a hail of arrows from the defenders was impossible. Even Alexander the great could not capture it and only have the torching olive groves surrounding Termessos. The excavations at the southern slope of Salt were discovered carved into the rock channels with a length of 30 km, which are stretched in the direction of the city to Antalya Phaselis. Historians believe that through these channels flowed olive oil and wine produced in Termessos. And in the coastal Phaselis they filled pitchers who have sailed on ships and sold in other countries.

The most interesting sites of the city are concentrated along the so-called Road of kings. This road out of the city in the Hellenistic period took place on the ramparts, past the water tanks. It was erected in the second century, at the request and at the expense of citizens and crossed the city in a straight line.

The main attraction of Termessos today is not a very big theatre, carved directly into the rocks for approximately 4000-5000 spectators. It was built under the Emperor Augustus, about the second century ad and is a typical example of Roman architecture. The seats are arranged in a semicircle and separated by an arched entrance from the Agora, which is now destroyed and covered with rocks. The stage is separated from the rooms by a wall with five doors of rich ornament. On the lower floor there are five rooms for the animals that were manufactured previously to fighting in the orchestra pit. With seats for spectators, a spectacular panorama of the surrounding area — see Antalya and a little sea (you'll cease to regret that climbed so high.) It is assumed that the back wall of the theater was very high - approximately 5-6 feet. Bench theatre sagged in places, and in some places completely destroyed, but they still kept the form.

On the main square of the city, the Agora, the first floor of which stands on stone blocks. It is surrounded on three sides by columns, which were built as a gift to the city from king Attalos II in 150-138 BC. Street with shops and colonnades on both sides of the olden times was a place for celebrations. Now Agora and its columns destroyed by raging earthquakes here, so columns are randomly scattered on the ground.
Ruins of the gymnasium, Dating from the first century of our era, much overgrown with bushes and trees. The earthquake left them only half walls. However, two rooms for classes remained pretty good. The external walls of the gymnasium decorated with niches and Doric ornament. This simple geometric shapes, but they are very good proportions. Affects the height and the length of the building.

Odeon, the place of meeting of the city Council or Parliament, was located not far from the theater. This arrangement was a classic in those days. The building resembles a theatre was erected in the first century BC. The building is remarkably well preserved up to the roof level and talks about the wonderful quality of architecture and construction. The upper tier of the Odeon was built of large rectangular blocks and decorated in the Doric style. The lower tier is devoid of ornamentation, and has two entrances. Covered the building from eleven large Windows, located in the Eastern and Western walls. The roof of the building was very poorly preserved, but its size is impressive - about 50 square meters. The inside of the Odeon is now fully weed filled with earth and small stones. Archaeologists believe that there were simultaneously housed up to 500 people. It is also known that the walls of the Odeon were decorated with marble mosaics.

In ancient Termessos was discovered six churches of various size and type. Four of those were near the Odeon. The first temple dedicated to Zeus, worshipped by the inhabitants of Termessos. Around this building were found the fragments of a relief depicting scenes of battles of the gods with monsters. The second temple dedicated to Artemis, and its area is about 25 sq. m. In the Church, Dating from the end of the second century of our era, is well preserved stage and part of the bas-reliefs. The third temple was the largest in the city. He, too, was dedicated to Artemis and had six to eight columns. Fourth, the small temple located at the foot of the mountain. Previously, it was located on a high podium and was the place of the demigod or hero. The temple was built in the second or third century of our era. The remaining two sanctuaries built in the third century and located near the columns, erected Attleson.

One of the most informative sites in Termessos today is the ancient Necropolis. It is known that the graves, only wealthy residents of the city, where the remains of ordinary citizens policy still remains a mystery. In the necropolis there are many tombs and sarcophagi, made of limestone or wood, decorated with various ornaments. Often they are located on pedestals and treat 2-3 centuries. Unfortunately, all they have looted and barbaric treatment. Somewhere lying around the lid from the sarcophagus, and some of them dilapidated. They scattered and overgrown with grass. When the burial to the bodies of the dead wore the best clothes and expensive jewelry – it was the cause of such ill treatment. Now part of sarcophagi are exhibited in the Antalya Museum, among them an interesting tomb of General Ecletica and urn designed for dogs. But the most impressive are all the same family tombs, carved into the mountains. Unfortunately they also had a hand in the vandalism, but we may still consider the original topography of the walls and bas-reliefs of the heads of the furies, who were supposed to protect them from hacking.

On the territory of Termessos is an underground reservoir, consisting of five huge tanks, the depth of which can reach ten meters. The inside of the tanks are lined with limestone. In the city you can see the monument to the hero of the Chiron and functioning well, the depth of 2-3 meters.

Termessos probably the least affected person historical monument, known in Turkey. Here the traveler finds the city the way it left local residents after the earthquake many centuries ago. In the city it is difficult to move because of the abundance of the bushes and barbed weeds, there is no convenient roads, toilets and dining spots. Many historically valuable items are covered with a layer of earth. The city is also poorly understood by archaeologists that gives us hope for a bright new discoveries.