Perge

Perge, also known as Pergae or Perga, is an ancient city in the region of Pamphylia, located about 15–20 kilometers northeast of the modern city of Antalya, Turkey, near the town of Aksu. It was a major Greek- and later Roman-era urban center that flourished from the Hellenistic period into late antiquity. The city’s layout reflects Greco-Roman urban planning, with a long colonnaded street leading to an agora and other civic buildings, and extensive public works that underscore its wealth and importance.

Among Perge’s architectural highlights are a well-preserved Roman theater, a large stadium, and extensive bath complexes, supported by a network of streets, temples, and public spaces. The remains also include a nymphaeum and city gates, providing insight into the scale and sophistication of the ancient city.

Perge holds a place in early Christian history as well. It is mentioned in the New Testament as a stop of Paul the Apostle and Barnabas during their first missionary journey; according to Acts, John Mark left them at Perge before they continued to Antioch in Pisidia. The site declined in late antiquity and was gradually abandoned in the early medieval period.

Today, Perge lies within the municipality of Aksu in Antalya Province. It has been the subject of extensive archaeological work since the 19th century and is now an open-air archaeological park. Many finds from Perge are held in the nearby Antalya Archaeological Museum, and the site remains a popular destination for visitors seeking to understand Greco-Roman city life in Anatolia.