Alexandria Troas, an ancient city in Ezine Canakkale, dating back to 310 BC
ALEXANDRIA TROAS is an ancient city in Ezine (Çanakkale), 500 meters from the village of Dalyan. The historical ruins noticed on both sides of the road are the most obvious parts left from the ancient city of Alexandra Troas. The city of Alexandria Troas is spread over a very large area. The city was founded by Antigonos in 310 BC with the name Antigoneia. At the founding of the city, the people of the cities of Gargara, Hamaksitos, Neandria, Kolonai, Larisa, Kebren and Skepsis were placed here.
The goal of Antigonas in establishing this city was to provide a sea connection between Macedonia and Anatolia. After the city was established, the peoples of 7 nearby cities were forced to settle in this port city. After the death of Antigonas (301 BC) by Lysimakhos, the city was named Aleksandria Troas by one of the commanders of Alexander the Great who captured Anatolia. Aleksandria means “home of Alexander” in the Hellenic language. Alexander the great and those who came after him founded many cities with the same name. So Troas was added to the end to distinguish this city from the others.
The ruins of the city, spread over a very large area and once surrounded by 8 km. the walls in length indicate that the city was one of the important centers of its era. Excavations in the ancient city, previously carried out by a German team, were transferred to a Turkish team from Ankara University in 2011. The excavations carried out were concentrated in the temple area of the city. Herodes Atticus Bath is noteworthy with the structure known as Maldelik which is the largest known bath structure in Anatolia. The monumental dimensions of the structure can be seen from the arches that survive today. Adjacent to the west of the bath is a large-sized gymnasium.
The ruins, which can be visited without a ticket, are noted for their arched remains. These arches, are what’s left of the bathhouse that Hadrian had built at the time. It’s amazing to see that big arches made without mortar are still intact. Sitting in one of these ruins and watching the setting sun against the view of the Aegean Sea and Bozcaada is unforgettable.
Remains of aqueducts, stadion, theatre, fortifications and traces of a temple believed to be in Doric style are also seen at the ruins. Excavations are still ongoing, and the more the crews dig, the more the city appears. As one goes towards Assos, it is surprising to see the ruins of the ancient city for a long time and how large an area the city was built in.
How to get to Alexandra Troas: One can reach the spot by minibuse departing from Ezine (22.09.2020) (08 July 2021)(26.11.2022)
