Asclepieion of Pergamon – One of the World’s Oldest Health Centers
Best historical places to visit in Izmir Bergama. The most important health center of the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire is Asclepieion of Pergamon. Asclepieion is accepted as one of the first health centers in the world. A part of the building, which was built approximately in the 4th century and is in the form of a columned street on both sides, was unearthed. It has been a treatment center for patients from various parts of the world. In addition to healing water, clean air, and spa-related treatment methods, treatment methods were applied through suggestion and entertainment.
Asclepieion Treatment Center
The round and multi-storey buildings in Asclepieion were a center where patients were treated. Many famous doctors from Bergama, especially Galenos, one of the well-known doctors of the time, were treating their patients in this health center. The priest physicians waiting at the Vira door determined who would be treated and who would not.
Asclepion Temple
One of the most interesting structures of Asclepieion is a temple that draws attention with its round plan. The hemispherical dome of this building, dedicated to the god Asklepios, was a novelty for those times. Asclepion gained the reputation of being one of the most important health centers of its period with its medical, surgical and medical treatments intertwined with indoctrination and belief, and this reputation has survived to the present day.
Asclepion Library
There is a small library next to the health center. The statue of Hadrian, the king of the time, joined the library building. Although the columns on the north side of the columned gallery were destroyed by a great earthquake, they were repaired during the Roman period and have survived to the present day. There were also statues of Asclepius, the god of health, and those who served as priests during his time.
Next to the health center, there is a theater with a capacity of 3500 people. It is thought that the theater was built by Hadrian. It is possible to see an inscription declaring that it was dedicated to Asclepieion, the god of health, on the columns of the theater stage.
