We caught a taxi to visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius which is about 3 kilometres south of the Acropolis down in the valley. Asclepius was known as the god of healing. The Ascelpium was approached along a 820 meter colonnaded sacred way. In this place people with health problems could bathe in the water of the sacred spring, and in the patients' dreams Asclepius would appear in a vision to tell them how to cure their illness.
Archeology has found lots of gifts and dedications that people would make afterwards, such as small terracotta body parts, no doubt representing what had been healed. Galen, the most famous doctor in the ancient Roman Empire and personal physician of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, worked in the Ascelpium for many years. We spent over an hour looking around the site, and although more restoration works need to be completed, the history never ceases to amaze me around this part of the country.
The 2nd site for the day was the Acropolis on the rock overlooking the city of Bergama.
Now this is nothing compared to the Parthenon in Athens, but it still worth the visit. One of the major attractions on the mountain was the Great Altar of Pergamon which unfortunately is now in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin. The base of this altar remains on the upper part of the Acropolis. It was perhaps this altar, believed to be dedicated to Zeus, that John of Patmos referred to as "Satan's Throne" in his Book of Revelation. A smaller frieze on a wall inside the Altar of Pergamon depicted the life of Telphus, son of Heracles and legendary founder of Pergamon.
Other notable structures still in existence on the upper part of the Acropolis include the Hellenistic Theater with a seating capacity of 10,000. This had the steepest seating of any known theater in the ancient world and may others that I won't bore you with at this time.
After visiting the site we caught the cable car back down the mountain. Because we got a taxi to the top, we didn't have a ticket to catch the cable car down the mountain. Since no one was on duty checking tickets, we just walked on and took a seat in the car and went down the mountain. Saved me 5 Aussie dollars that trip.
We walked from the cable car station back into town for a final walk around before returning to the Efsane Hotel. It was time to do some work on the bikes. My work involved cleaning the chain and putting some oil on it. I didn't worry about washing it down as I still have 2 weeks left before we arrive in Istanbul, and I'm on holidays and don't need to rush.
On the way back to the hotel I noticed many people carrying a small packet of donuts. Since I've been doing a little bit of exercise lately I though I should have a splurge and spoil myself. When we got to pay they wouldn't take any money. It was suppose to be related to 'Allah' and that today people give food on this special occasion. I felt bad taking the food as I'm a catholic, but the ladies insisted.
After devouring our free donuts we walked about 50 metres and this elderly man stopped Peter and gave him a loaf of bread. Again he wouldn't take any money. He then asked us if we wanted a cup a tea and that's what we were tying to find. We went into the all male tea house and took a seat whilst waiting for our tea. The tea arrived, I asked how much? and this man indicated that the bill had already been paid. Now that's hospitality for you.
This 5 minute walk back to the hotel was now taking over an hour. As we got closer to the hotel Peter noticed a lady begging so he gave her the loaf of bread. It mightn't be much, but at least it's something.
Finally we got back to the hotel, went for swim, cleaned the bike chain, and now going to relax and do nothing for the rest of the day.
Tomorrow we start the ride to Ayvalik where we will catch the ferry to Lesvos, Greece.
Until tomorrow, safe riding.
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