Assos Ancient City-Çanakkale / Turkey

 In Assos, which was dominated by the Ottomans in the 14th century, the agora temple, bath, theater, and sarcophagi were preserved and reached today. The most valuable structure of Assos is the Temple of Athena. Some of the friezes of the temple, built in 530 BC, are exhibited in the Istanbul Archeology Museum. Aristotle's school of philosophy is sufficient to determine the importance of Assos.

Assos Attractions

Founded on the top of a volcanic island on the Aegean Sea coast, Assos has hosted many different civilizations from past to present. Assos Ancient City, which looks like an open-air museum, is one of the must-see places in the town. The most valuable structure of the ancient city is undoubtedly the Temple of Athena. Assos Ancient Harbor, which was an important trade center in the past, maybe the next stop of your trip. We recommend you to visit the ancient harbor surrounded by fish restaurants at sunset. You can take great photos among the narrow streets and historical houses of Behramkale Village, and take a breather in the village cafe when you are tired. Hüdavendigar Mosque is an important historical building that you can visit in Behramkale. You can enjoy the sea and sunbathe all day long in Kadırga Bay and Sokakağzı. Ayvacık, Yeşilyurt and Adatepe are among the places to visit in Assos. You can find the details of these places we mentioned below.

Assos Ancient City

Assos Ancient City, located in Behramkale Village, 17 kilometers from Ayvacık district center, was founded on the summit of a volcanic hill. Just opposite the ancient city, there is the island of Lesbos and it has a magnificent view. It is not known exactly by whom the ancient city of Assos, which is estimated to have been founded in the 6th century BC, was built. Andesite stone, which is known to be very durable, was used in the construction of city sarcophagi. The ancient city, which has been under the rule of many civilizations such as Lydia, Persia, and Rome since the day it was founded, has begun to be abandoned since the Middle Ages. The ancient city of Assos, which has important structures such as the ancient theater, the ancient port, and the Temple of Athena, is shown as one of the most important trade cities of its period. It is known that the famous philosopher Aristotle lived in Assos for a while and founded a school of philosophy. The first systematic excavations in Assos Ancient City started in 1981 in the agora, theater, necropolis, and acropolis and are still continuing today.

Assos Ancient City is open to visitors between 08:00-19:30 between April 15 and October 2, and between 08.00-17.00 between October 3 and April 14. The entrance fee to Assos Ancient City is -TL.

Temple of Athena

Assos Archaeological Site, namely Behramkale, which is the archaeological and urban site of Çanakkale, was founded on a volcanic rock on the Aegean Sea coast.

It is located within the borders of Behramkale village, approximately 17 kilometers away from the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale. The city started to settle in the 2nd century BC, and this region, which has dominated the sea and is rich from past periods to the present, has always been a preferred location and has been one of the regions that have been settled for a long time.

Assos Ancient Port

Known for being the largest port in the region in ancient times, Assos Antique Port was used as one of the most important points of trade. The Ancient Port contributed greatly to the significant enrichment of the region. In Assos Port, which is one of the most beautiful places in Assos, construction is not allowed except for the restoration of stone structures, since it has been declared a protected area. There are no structures in the port other than touristic facilities. Consisting of narrow streets, Assos Harbor still preserves its ancient atmosphere. The red and green lanterns were built on the columns of the ancient city, and the ruins of the ancient harbor are still visible. It is not allowed to enter Assos Antique Port by car. There is a parking lot for vehicles 50 meters from the port entrance. There are tea gardens, ice cream shops, and souvenir shops in the port. There are also fish restaurants around Assos Antique Port, where many boutique hotels serve. You can also enter the sea from the pier in the port.

Hüdavendigar Mosque

Another important historical building in the region after the Assos Ancient City is the Hüdavendigar Mosque. Hüdavendigar Mosque was built in the 14th century by one of the Ottoman sultans, Murat Hüdavendigar. The mosque, which was built with a single dome and a square plan, is one of the best works reflecting Ottoman period architecture. There are rare pictures of galleys inside the mosque located in the village of Behramkale on the top of Assos. Hüdavendigar Mosque was built above the entrance gate of the historical city of Cornelius. The entrance gate of the city of Cornelius is now used as the entrance gate of the Hüdavendigar Mosque. On the entrance door, there is the order of Skamandros, the king of the city of Cornelius, about the repair of the church. The king's order remains as it was on the first day, except that the wing of the sign of the cross was broken.

Kadırga Bay

Kadırga Bay, located approximately 2 kilometers south of Assos, is one of the most preferred bays of Assos for local and foreign tourists to stay and swim. The bay was named Kadırga Bay because those damaged by the galleys that went to war during the Ottoman Period were brought to this bay on the way back and repaired with oak and beech trees. Kadırga Bay, which you can reach by passing through olive trees, is quite wide and long. Kadırga Bay, which has a stony beach, has a blue flag award for its clean sea. The bay is quite cool with the imbat winds blowing in the evening. The water of Kadırga Bay is also colder than many holiday resorts. There are facilities where you can enjoy your time in the bay and restaurants where you can taste the specialties of the region. Sunbeds and umbrellas are also provided at the facilities. If you are thinking of staying around the bay, you can choose from boutique hotels and hostels suitable for all budgets, and have a quiet and peaceful holiday.

Sokakağzı

One of the places you can visit in Assos is Sokakağzı, which is surrounded by olive trees. Sokakağzı is located in Koyunevi village, about 15 kilometers from Assos center; It has a wide and sandy beach. While the area was formerly known as Yalı, the beach was named Sokakağzı since it was the place where Sokak Stream empties into the sea. Sokakağzı Bay, right across Lesbos Island, has a magnificent view. It is full of natural beauties and is a virgin bay among lush trees. Sokakağzı Bay, with its deep blue sea and clean beach, attracts a lot of attention especially from local tourists during the summer period. Along the Sokakağzı beach, there are restaurants and cafes where you can have a pleasant time. When you come to Sokakağzı, we recommend you try ravioli as well as delicious seafood. You can swim all day long in Sokakağzı, a charming Aegean village, and read your book under the pine trees.

Behramkale Village

The village of Behramkale, an old village founded during the Ottoman Period, is located above the Ancient Harbor. Behramkale village, which is connected to the Ayvacık district, is one of the most important tourist spots in Çanakkale and Turkey. The village of Behramkale, located within the borders of the ancient city, consists of approximately 150 households. The village, which has preserved its historical texture from the Ottoman period to the present, is very interesting with its houses made of stone walls and narrow streets. There are also houses in the village that reflect the stonework in Ottoman architecture. The construction of new buildings is not allowed in the village, which has been declared a protected area by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Restoration works of existing normal and stone buildings are carried out with great care. It is easy to reach Assos Ancient City by walking from Behramkale village. There are local souvenir shops on the slope where the Temple of Athena welcomes you. Most of those who want to stay in Assos prefer Behramkale village. Restaurants, where you can have a pleasant time in the village, are included.

Ayvacik

It is estimated that the Ayvacık district, which is one of the most important historical and touristic spots of Çanakkale and the Aegean Region, has been used as a settlement since the Mysians and Luwians. The Ayvacık district of Çanakkale has hosted a great history under the rule of important civilizations such as the Hittites, Lydians, Persians, Pergamum Kingdom, and Roman, and Byzantine. Ayvacık district came under Ottoman rule during the reign of Sultan Murat I Hüdavendigar. In Ottoman records, Ayvacık is mentioned as a center connected to Biga. Ayvacık, which was liberated from the Greek occupation in 1922, was connected to the Ezine district in 1926 and became a district in 1928. The town of Ayvacık, leaning its back on the historical Mount Ida, is home to every shade of green and blue with the Aegean Sea it faces. Ayvacık, where Turkmen and Yoruk villages are located, is shown as the common point where culture meets. Ayvacik is very famous for its olives, olive oil, and hand-woven carpets.

Adatepe

Adatepe village, located at the foot of the Kaz Mountains, has a magnificent nature among pine and olive trees. Adatepe village, whose history is estimated to date back to ancient times, bears the traces of many civilizations, especially the Persian, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. There is also the world-famous historical Zeus Altar in the village. Zeus Altar, which is approximately 700 meters from the entrance of Adatepe village, is quite impressive with its history and magnificent view. With the Population Exchange in 1924, the Greek population in the village was replaced by the Turks brought from Lesbos. The village, which was declared a protected area by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1989, has been taken under protection. The restoration of the existing stone houses is carried out under the supervision of the Board of Monuments. Admired with its lush nature, Adatepe Village is also one of the most important villages with the highest oxygen content in the world. Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, located in the village covered with olive trees, exhibits the natural and local flavors of the region in the best way.

Yesilyurt

Yeşilyurt village, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Çanakkale, is one of the places you must visit around Assos. Established on the slope of the Kaz Mountains, the village is equipped with stone houses. Almost all of the stone houses were built with stones extracted from the region. With the Population Exchange held in 1924, the Greeks living in Yeşilyurt village and the Turks living in Lesbos and Crete Island changed places, just like other villages in the region. Most of the locals living in Adatepe village, which has an old Greek village breeze, are composed of Yörüks. There are many pensions and boutique hotels to stay in Yeşilyurt village. Local delicacies and souvenirs prepared by women living in the village are sold in most of the stalls set up in the cobblestone streets. Yeşilyurt village, which is called the hidden paradise in the Kaz Mountains, awaits those who want to embrace nature.

When to go to Assos?

Although the Mediterranean climate affects the southern coasts of Assos, where warm and mild weather prevails, the Marmara climate is dominant in the interior. The annual average temperature of Assos is 18 degrees. While July is the driest month of the year, the most precipitation is observed in December. With an average of 29 degrees, July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest with 9.4 degrees. The summer months are the most crowded period of Assos, where those who want to have a sea holiday start to flock as of June. Although the temperature is between 25-30 degrees, you can travel without getting overwhelmed thanks to the constant breeze. Assos, whose sea is cooler than many Aegean and Mediterranean cities, is an attractive holiday destination with this feature. Assos, which is one of the places that can be visited not only in summer but also in all four seasons of the year, is an important tourism center with its historical richness. The best time to visit the ancient ruins is in the spring and autumn months. Although some of the hotels in Assos do not provide service during the winter period, Assos is very pleasant in winter with its mild climate. You can taste delicious Aegean dishes at the restaurants in the port, and take a walk in the clean air of the village. We would like to remind you that the hotels in the port area are open twelve months of the year.