Troy, Turkey

Early May 2002

When amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann excavated Troy in 1871, the pants of classical studies boffins around the world became decidedly damp. Up to this time, Homer's Iliad was assumed to be based on legend, but post-digs, Troy becomes the Homeric city of Ilium, site of an epic battle between the Achaeans (Greeks) and the Trojans in the 13th century BC. Excavations by Schliemann and others have revealed nine ancient cities, one on top of another dating back to 3000 BC. Troy VI (1800-1275 BC) is the city of Priam which engaged in the Trojan War.

For afficionados or ruins freaks like my cousin, this is all amazing, but unless you've read the Iliad, or have a keen appreciation of archaeology, you may find little of interest in Troy (your not wrong!). Apart from a hokey replica of the Trojan horse (see below), there's little to catch the amateur eye. That said, this is the site of one of the world's grandest tales, so soaking up the atmosphere should be just about enough. Troy is a 30km (19mi) dolmus ride from Çanakkale, which is linked by buses to most Turkish cities.

Hokey Trojan Horse Replica

The Trojan Horse - beware of Greeks bearing gifts or hordes of disinterested tourists.

The twins.  Hannah and ...?... I am useless at names but I'm sure I could spot them in a police line-up.

Ancient Troy

The hardest thing about troy is there's so many levels and so much conjecture as to what level was Priam's city.  Who knows? I doubt we will ever know but if you are going to this city and you're into ruins, read up about Troy first.  A good guide is also worth the investment as you won't know what you are looking at otherwise.

This is definitely a theatre

Next:

Turkey, 1. Istanbul, 2. Gallipoli, 3. Troy, 4. Selcuk, 5. Ephesus, 6. Pamukkale, 7. Cappadocia,

8. Somewhere Photos