Alexandria Troas: Alexander's City Next Door to Dalyan Village

The huge arches you meet among the olive groves of Dalyan village belong to one of Anatolia's great ancient cities: Alexandria Troas. The site lies within the village boundaries, just 3.5 km from the guesthouse.

A city founded by Alexander's generals

The city was founded around 310 BC by Antigonus Monophthalmus, one of Alexander the Great's generals, under the name Antigoneia. Lysimachus later renamed it Alexandria Troas — "Alexandria in the Troad" — in memory of Alexander.

The great harbour of the Roman age

Made a Roman colony, the city became the main port of the Troad. Ancient sources say Constantine even considered it when choosing a new capital. It also has a place in Christian history: Saint Paul passed through during his missionary journeys.

Its most impressive building is the Baths of Herodes Atticus, built in the 2nd century AD and one of the largest Roman baths in Anatolia, fed by an aqueduct from the Kaz Mountains (Mount Ida). The city walls run for some 8 kilometres, and the basins of the silted-up ancient harbour can still be seen on Dalyan beach.

Excavations continue

A team from Ankara University has excavated Alexandria Troas every season since 2011, and new finds come to light every summer. If you visit during the dig season, watching the work from a distance is a treat in itself.

Other stops nearby

• The ruin locals call "Saray" (the Palace), about 1 km from the village.
• The Temple of Apollo Smintheus at Gülpınar.
• A little further, the ancient city of Troy and the Troy Museum.

After Alexandria Troas, coming back to the guesthouse for tea in the garden is a lovely way to end a day that shows just how close history is in Dalyan village.