PERGE

PERGE, ANTALYA, TURKEY

 

PERGE is one of the most is one of the most important ancient cities in the world. Settlements in this area were as early as 1500 BC and St. Paul stopped here on one of his journeys. Today it is a large site of ancient ruins about 9 miles east of Antalya. It was renowned for the worship of Artemis's temple stood on a hill outside the town.

 

Alexander the Great occupied Perge. During the first half of the fourth century, during the reign of Constantine the Great Perge became an important center of Christianity. St. Paul the Apostle and St. Barnabas visited  Perge several times.

The ruins are magnificent and are still in the process of being rebuilt. Just walking through the rooms he can imagine the apostles walking through, preaching, converting the people to Christianity.

 

As I walk through the ruins I'm amazed how they actually have underground water systems to keep the baths both hot and cold wherever it is needed. Boy, I wish I was an archaeologist!

 

There was a magnificent aqueduct in the area; the only problem was all the vendors hawking their wares which took so much away from the atmosphere although I guess back in the day that's exactly how was that was still annoying. The aqueduct in pretty good shape stood probably three or four stories high and portions could be found throughout the area.

 

It amazes me how when you were driving to a site you have snow-covered mountains and yet you were in a subtropics client with a beautiful Mediterranean just a few feet away.