Friday Sept 10th

Today was meant to be a rest day - so we could catch our breath. But because yesterday's bus drive took so long we had to postpone two of our vists to this morning - so, ... another early morning! I really hate getting up early, especially every day!
But it was worth it. We visited Perge first, not the biblical Pergamum but the major city of Pamphyllia. It has a well preserved Stadium - one stadium long (200 metres) - hence the name -where athletics and chariot races were held as well as the occasional animal fight.  
















We saw the Nymphaeum - the place where people came to collect water and to bathe - named after the water nymphs of Greek mythology. The Agora (marketplace) is being restored as is the Main avenue leading to the Acropolis.

Agora

Roman Bath

The Main Avenue has a canal running alongside it that ran water down a channel with barriers every few meters to make the water flow over them and cool down the air nearby

Main Avenue with canal for cooling

The Roman Theatre was closed but that was OK because our nexst stop was Aspendos where there's a restored Roman theatre, still used for performances, notably Aida every June.