Walls of ancient Termessos being restored for first time

The walls of the ancient city of Termessos, which Alexander the Great besieged in 333 but failed to conquer due to its strong walls and powerful defenses, are being restored.

Credit: Hurriyet Daily News

The ancient city of Termessos was a Pisidian city built at an altitude of more than 1000 metres at the south-west side of the mountain Solymos (Turkish Güllük Dağı) in the Taurus Mountains. It is located 30 kilometers to the northwest of the southern Turkish province of Antalya.

With the support of the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Antalya Governor’s Office, the ruined walls of the ancient city, at a distance of 300-meters from the city, are set to be restored.

To aid the restoration works, a 3D map of the walls has been made. Nearly 3,000 stones were numbered individually and scanned before the restoration started.

The stones, each of which weighed two and a half tons, were lifted by crane to form the city walls.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Antalya Director of Surveying and Monuments Cemil Karabayram said the project would restore the ancient city of Termessos for the first time.

He said the project had received 1.7 million Turkish Liras in funding, thanks to the support of Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmuş, Cultural Heritage and Museums General Director Yalçın Kurt and Antalya Governor Münir Karaloğlu.

Karabayram also said the walls, which originally covered a one-kilometer area, were limited to an area of 300 meters because of the main road, and were being restored using their original material without any additions from stone pits.

The 2,300 year-old walls are being raised again, Karabayram said. “The walls will be the same as they were 2,300 years ago with 3D scans. Four towers inside the walls will also be restored. This is one of the biggest and most important projects for Antalya. It is also very important in terms of tourism. We believe tourists will take more interest once the work is complete,” he added.

Karabayram said the height of the walls would come to six meters.

He said they had found arrow heads, pieces of ceramic and coins during the works.

“Lots of historical nails were found on the ancient roads around the walls. After the work is done, we will invite people here. Lovers may declare their love for each other on these walls, which have spiritual value,” he added.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [March 06, 2018]