Pergamon

Pergamon (Bergama) used the be the capitol of Kingdom of Pergamon around 300 BC. It joined Rome around 130 BC.

Weather is cooporating well. It rained a bit in the morning but still it is like a typical June day in Seattle :)

Tumbstone

Girls dancing with a tumbstone from Ottaman era. Not the reaction I was expecting when I told them what that was..

Red Basilica - Pictures

Red Basilica

We visited the Red Basilica yesterday. This is also one of the seven churches described in the Book of Revelation. It is impresive. We were the only visitors due to the season. Kids were so noisy that I am sure we disturbed some spirits.

Faustina

Here is Sibel in front of the Faustina Gate of the Smyrna Agora. Faustina is the wife of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who helped to rebuild the city after a major earthquake.

Legand says that Alexander the Great parked his chariot on the second floor of the parking garage behind.

Smyrna Agora

We visited the Agora and the Basilica in Smyrna. Most of the remains are from 3rd century BC but includes new additions from 2nd century AD.

The basilica is one of the seven churches of Asia Minor mentioned in the Bible. Although there is not much left of it.