The ancient city of Termessos is located at a distance of 34 km from Antalya in the western part of the Natural Park of Güllük Dagi, on a plateau at 1,050 meters. He is one of the most important ancient cities of Turkey and covers a very large area.

City Termessos originates from the Etruscan language. Translated from him, the word means "high fortress in the mountains." It is believed that at the site of Termessos first human settlements existed around the 3rd millennium BC, and the city was formed in the early 6th century BC. His heyday policy reached in the 2nd and 3rd century BC, while its population increased to 150 thousand people. Since Termessos was an ally of Rome, the Roman Senate was granted independent status. In this way the city could own mint coins, and did not portray them Roman emperors.

Almost all the buildings have survived to the present day, it was built during this period. The town fell into disrepair in the 9th century AD, when there was several strong earthquakes have been violated and the water supply system of the city. Local residents moved to other Lycian city. In the same form in which Termessos remained after the earthquake, he came to us.

Location of the ancient Termessos was very thoughtful and benefit from the natural landscape for defensive purposes .  The natural rock formations protected him from the east and west sides, and the entrances to the valley was defended by high and strong upper and lower city walls .  Sign in Termessos could only be passing through the gates of the city, located in the walls .  It was impossible to bring heavy machinery to crack the walls, and storm the city under a hail of arrows of the defenders it was impossible .  Even Alexander the Great was unable to capture him and confined only to the burning of olive groves surrounding Termessos .  The excavations at the southern slope of Mount Solim were found carved into the rock channels, 30 km long, which extended towards the town of Phaselis to Antalya .  Historians believe that these channels flowed olive oil and wine produced in Termessos .  And in the coastal Phaselis them filled pitchers who sailed on ships and sold in other countries .

Most of the interest of the city are concentrated along the so-called Road of Kings. This city road in the Hellenic period was held to strengthen the past water tanks. It was built in the second century, at the request and at the expense of citizens and crossed the city almost in a straight line.

The main attraction of Termessos today is not very big in size theater, carved directly into the rocks and designed around 4000-5000 spectators .  It was built during the reign of Augustus, about the second century BC and is a typical example of Roman architecture .  Places for spectators arranged in a semicircle and separated by arched entrance from the agora, which is now destroyed and bombarded with stones .  The stage is separated from the wall space with five doors with rich ornamentation .  On the ground floor there are five rooms for the animals that were previously issued for fighting in the orchestra pit .  With seats for spectators with a spectacular view of the surroundings - is seen Antalya and a little sea (you definitely stop regret that climbed so high . ) It is assumed that the back wall of the theater was quite high - up to about 5-6 meters .  Benches theater seats sagged, and in some places and completely destroyed, but they still kept their shape .

On the main square of the Agora is located on the first floor which stands on the stone blocks. It is surrounded by three pillars, which were built as a gift to the city by King Attalos II of 150-138 years. BC. Street with shops and colonnades on both sides has been in place for ancient festivals. Now the agora and its colonies destroyed by earthquakes raging here, so the column randomly scattered on the ground.
The ruins of the gymnasium dating back to the first century AD, much overgrown with bushes and trees. The earthquake has left them only a half wall. However, two halls for employment remained fairly well. The outer walls of the building are decorated with niches and gymnasium Doric ornament. These are simple geometric shapes, but they are very well observed proportions. It affects the height and length of the building.

Odeon, the seat of the city council or parliament, is located near the theater. This location was a classic at the time. The building resembles a theater and were built in the first century BC. The building is remarkably well preserved up to the level of the roof and says beautiful as architecture and construction. The upper tier of the Odeon was built from large rectangular blocks and decorated with Doric. The lower tier stripped of ornamentation and has two entrances. It illuminates the building from eleven large windows, located in the eastern and western walls. The roof construction has remained very bad, but it vnushitelny- size of about 50 square meters. The interior of the Odeon is now completely filled with trash earth and small stones. Archaeologists believe that it simultaneously housed up to 500 people. We also know that the walls were decorated with Odeon marble mosaic.

In ancient Termessos it was discovered six temples of varying size and type. Four of them were from the nearby Odeon. The first temple dedicated to Zeus, who was worshiped residents Termessos. Around this building were discovered fragments of relief images of scenes of battles with monsters gods. A second temple dedicated to Artemis, and its area is approximately 25 sq.m. The temple, dating from the end of the second century AD, perfectly preserved stage and part of the bas-reliefs. The third church was the biggest in the city. He, too, was dedicated to Artemis and had six to eight columns. Fourth, the smallest temple, located at the foot of the mountain. Previously, it was located on the highest podium and was the place of worship of a demigod or hero. The temple was built in the second or third century AD. The remaining two of the sanctuary built in the third century and is located near the columns erected Attalos.

One of the most informative places in Termessos today is the ancient necropolis .  It is known that there are graves of the wealthy residents of the city, where the remains of ordinary citizens of the policy is still a mystery .  The necropolis is full of tombs and sarcophagi made of limestone or wood, decorated with various ornaments .  Often, they are placed on pedestals and apply to ages 2-3 .  Unfortunately, they were subjected to robbery and barbaric treatment .  Here and there, lying on the sarcophagus lid, and some of them dilapidated .  They are scattered randomly and overgrown with grass .  At the burial of the bodies of the dead wore the best clothes and expensive jewelry - this was the reason for such a cruel attitude toward them .  Now part of the sarcophagus is exhibited at the exhibition at the Museum of Antalya, including interest, and the tomb of General Akletisa urn designed for dogs .  But the most impressive all the same family tombs carved in the mountains .  Unfortunately for them, too, they had a hand in the Vandals, but now you can still see the original walls and bas-relief with the heads of the Furies, who were to protect them from hacking .

On the territory of Termessos have an underground reservoir, consisting of five huge tanks to a depth of up to ten meters. The interior is lined with limestone reservoirs. In the city you can see the monument to the hero Chiron and functioning well, depth of 2-3 meters.

Thermessos probably least affected person historical monument, known in Turkey. Here the traveler finds the town the way it left local residents after the earthquake centuries ago. The city is difficult to navigate because of the abundance of prickly bushes and weeds, there is no convenient roads, toilets and catering places. A lot of historically valuable objects covered with a layer of earth. City poorly investigated by archaeologists, that gives us hope for a bright new discoveries.