Termessos Archaeological Site
Güllük Mountain-Termessos National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Termessos, is perhaps one of the most attractive ancient cities not only in Türkiye, but all over the world. The Güllük Dağı National Park adds a lot to the beauty of this place. Termessos can be reached easily from Antalya driving 35 km North West along the Denizli – İzmir road. As the “ss” within the name suggests, it was one of the Luwian originated cities, the people of Termessos even went further and noted that “we are neither Pisidian nor Lycians, but we are Solymians” referring to their sacred mountain Solymos (Güllük Dağı) Mountain, where the main deity of the city was also called Zeus Solymeus. Alexander the great failed capturing the city so burnt its olive orchards and continued his campaign as we here from Arrianos. Indeed, it feels like the city is located on an eagle’s nest, fortified with impressive fortifications, almost impregnable. As there were no modern settlement nor roads leading up the city until recently, most buildings are almost intact, gives the visitor a strong feeling as if the blocks just tumbled down yesterday. One must have at least four hours, better all day to visit the city, as Termessos is huge, there are 4 cemeteries with beautiful examples of Pisidian tombs with several reliefs in almost excellent condition, Theater with an amazing view of Mount Solymos, Bouleuterion from the Hellenistic period standing to its original height, very impressive cisterns and water systems, temples, baths, colonnaded streets and obviously the impressive landscape and forests.