Assos

Assos

Assos is an ancient city located in Behramkale Village, about 17 km south of Ayvacık district of Çanakkale.

It was founded on the summit and slopes of a volcanic hill at the southern end of the region called Troas in Antiquity, opposite the island of Lesbos. The region, which was under Lydian, Persian, Pergamon and Roman sovereignty throughout history, was abandoned in the Middle Ages; it was discovered by the young American architect Francis H. Bacon during the excavations carried out by the American Archaeological Institute in 1880-1883.

When it was active, Assos became rich thanks to the passing ships as it had the only large harbour in the region. The sarcophagi made of andesite stone in Assos were world-famous for the rapid decomposition of the corpses placed in them; they were exported to Lebanon, Syria, Greece and Rome in ancient times.

Aristotle, one of the great thinkers of Antiquity, lived in this city for three years and founded a school of philosophy. Assos was also visited by Paul and for this reason the city is considered sacred by Christians.

Founded around 900 BC, the most spectacular place of this city is the Doric Temple of Athena built on the top of the hill. The city also has a large amphitheatre.

Today, the city of Behramkale on the foothills and slopes of the mountain where the city is located is still active.

Assos has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2017.