Journey to explore the mythical city of Troy

History of Troy

Troy (Turkish: “Troia”) was founded by the Hittites in the 3rd century BC and later became known to the world through Homer’s two epic poems, “Iliad” and “Odyssey”. According to Homer, the Trojan War took place around 1184 BC. The cause was that Prince Paris of Troy seduced the beautiful Queen Helen of King Menelaus of Sparta, causing Menelaus to be angry and attack Troy, leading to a bloody war that lasted for 10 years. Finally, the Greek army used the famous “wooden horse” trick, causing Troy to fall and be buried deep underground for thousands of years.

Whether or not the “Iliad” was real, there was a Trojan War in the 12th century, which changed the Hittite name “Wilusa” to Illion, and then to Troy. As Constantinople (now Istanbul) grew in power, Troy lost its importance, and many people actually believed it to be a fictional place imagined by Homer until archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann proved its existence. Archaeological excavations continue today, meaning the world has yet to see the full extent of the mythical Troy.

Journey to Troy

The closest major city to Troy is Çanakkale, which also has an airport with direct flights from Istanbul. From Çanakkale, it is about 30 km (about 45 minutes) by minibus to ancient Troy, with buses departing every hour, starting at 7am, but sometimes departing earlier if they are full. It is also advisable to book a hotel room in Çanakkal as you may only visit Troy and return on the same day.

What to see in Troy?

Wear shoes that are suitable for the rough and slippery roads when exploring the ruins of Troy. The city was rebuilt 9 times and many archaeologists believe that the 7th layer is part of the city described in the "Iliad". Don't forget to visit the inside of the wooden horse at the entrance to the Troy ruins, it is arguably the most interesting experience of this trip! Also, if you don't like to fight with a crowd of tourists, visit Troy in winter.

Some other activities

If you are in the area, you can conveniently stop by Mount Ida, where the gods are said to have sat and watched the Trojan War. Another interesting destination is the beautiful island of Bozcaada in the Aegean Sea, with its ancient towns and castles, as well as delicious seafood and a variety of local wines. You can reach the island by ferry from the port of Geyikli, about 10 km from Troy.

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