Troy, known as Troia in French, Truva in Turkish, and Troya in Greek, is a legendary settlement located about 31 km southwest of Canakkale on the road to Izmir. It is situated on the Asian shore of the Dardanelles, where the Skamander River flows into the Aegean Sea. The name Troy has been mentioned 49 times and Ilios or Ilion (Iliada in Greek) 109 times in Homer’s epic poem, “The Iliad.”
Because of its strategic location between the European and Asian continents, connecting the Aegean and Black Sea trade routes, Troy was an important commercial center for thousands of years. Its significance attracted numerous attacks from various nations seeking to capture the city, resulting in frequent destruction.
The history of Troy dates back to the Bronze Age, with its legendary King Priam. The fort and town were destroyed at the end of the Trojan War. The first excavations of the site were conducted by Henrich Schliemann, a wealthy German amateur archaeologist, in 1870. Although he discovered the treasure of Troy, it was later taken illegally from Turkey and eventually ended up in the Pushkin Museum of Russia.
Troy is a fascinating site for archaeological and historical examination due to its repeated establishment and destruction. Unlike most cities that are rebuilt in different locations after being destroyed, Troy has been rebuilt nine times on the same site, which allows us to see the nine different layers of civilizations from the past. These layers span from 3000 BC to 1200 AD, showcasing the rich diversity of civilizations that inhabited the area, from mythological Greeks to the Byzantine era, from the legendary Agamemnon and Helen to the Roman emperor and the hieros.
THE LAYERS OF TROIA
◉ Troy I 3200-2600
◉ Troy II 2600-2250
◉ Troy III 2250-2100
◉ Troy IV, 2100-1950
◉ Troy VI: 17th century BC – 15th century BC
◉ Troy VIa: Late Bronze Age 14th century BC
◉ Troy VIIa: CA 1300 BC – 1190 BC, Homeric Troy
◉ Troy VIIb : 12th century BC
◉ Troy VIIc: 11th century BC
◉ Troy VIId : About 950 BC
◉ Troy VIII: 700 BC Hellenistic Troy
◉ Troy IX: Ilium, 1st AD century Roman Troja
In mythology, the hill where the city was founded was said to be the place where the goddess Athena was thrown down from Olympus by Zeus. The founder of Troy, Ilios, was the son of Tros and a descendant of the Dardanos dynasty. Tros won a competition held by the King of Phrygia and was rewarded with a black bull. He decided to build a city where the bull stopped and thus the city was named Troia after its founder.
THE TROIA MUSEUM
Some of the findings from Troy were opened for display in a museum located at the entrance of the archaeological site in 1970. The museum features four large exhibition halls worth visiting before exploring the site itself. In fact, there are many more artifacts from the region than what is displayed in the museum, but unfortunately, many works have been smuggled abroad, particularly to Germany and Russia. Today, the number of countries with artifacts and history from Troy has reached 50.
TROJAN HORSE – LEGEND
Paris, the son of King Priam, fell in love with Helen, the beautiful wife of Menelaus, and took her by force to Troy. In response to this, Menelaus declared war on Troy with his allies. The Trojans and their Anatolian allies defended the city and the war lasted for many years. The soldiers on both sides grew tired and weary. Odysseus, the famous hero of the Greek troops, came up with the idea of building a wooden horse with armed soldiers hidden inside as a way to capture Troy. A giant wooden horse was built and the soldiers with weapons were left outside the gates of Troy.
The Trojans believed the Greek forces had left and opened the gates, celebrating their victory. At night, the armed soldiers who were hidden in the wooden horse emerged and took control of the city from the drunken Trojans in a short time. This event became a great legend and is known as the Trojan Horse all over the world.
Visiting Troy is a unique and enlightening experience that allows you to step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history and mythology of this legendary city. From its strategic location between Europe and Asia, to its role as a center of commerce and war, Troy has played a significant role in shaping the course of human history. With its nine different layers of civilization, dating back over 4000 years, there is something for everyone at this stunning archaeological site.
Not only is Troy rich in history, but it is also a beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by stunning landscapes and stunning views of the Aegean Sea. With its well-preserved ruins, visitors can get a true sense of what life was like in ancient times and the stories behind the epic Trojan War.
At Tour Maker Turkey, we believe that a visit to Troy should be on the bucket list of every history and culture lover. That’s why we offer tours that take you directly to this incredible site and provide you with an in-depth and unforgettable experience. Our knowledgeable and experienced guides will bring the history and mythology of Troy to life as you explore the ancient city and learn about its many fascinating stories and legends.
Whether you’re a student of history, an admirer of classical literature, or simply someone who loves exploring the world’s most interesting and beautiful places, a visit to Troy is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. With our tours, you’ll get to see this incredible city up close and personal, and experience its rich history and culture in a way that you’ll never forget.
So if you’re ready to take the journey back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history and mythology of Troy, book a tour with Tour Maker Turkey today. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating and beautiful archaeological sites and create memories that will last a lifetime.