Pergamum and the Asclepion, Bergama, Turkey

The next stop was Pergamum (or Pergamon), an ancient city from the Hellenistic period.

The magnifient view of the ruins were worth the steep climb to the top of the Ancient Theatre!

Within the city was the Asclepion, a place of healing. It was a sanctuary built in honor of Asclepius, the god of health. Patients (male only) were treated using a variety of methods, including sleep therapy. There are several articles on the Internet describing the Asclepion, this detailed article with photos corresponded to what Metin, our tour manager and guild told us.

Below is the sacred fountain, with running water that flowed into drains to the underground passage. We could hear the soothing sound of running water when we walked through the passage. The sound was part of the treatment process at the time.