Troy Day Trip From Canakkale

Canakkale’s Troy Day Trip offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the legendary city’s storied past. This guided excursion explores the iconic Trojan Horse, ancient ruins, and reconstructed city gates, immersing visitors in the rich mythology and history that surrounds Troy. With a duration of around 8 hours, the tour provides ample time for in-depth exploration, captivating photography, and enlightening discussions on Troy’s enduring significance. Whether you’re a history buff or simply seek an engaging cultural experience, this day trip promises to leave a lasting impression.

Key Points

• This 8-hour excursion from Canakkale to Apollon Smintheus highlights a 2nd-century BC temple, Roman ruins, and granite quarries in a small group tour.
• The tour includes transport, entrance fees, lunch, and hotel/port pickup and drop-off, offering a comprehensive experience.
• Key attractions are the Apollon Smintheus site with Iliad carvings, nearby Roman ruins, and the Smintheus Museum showcasing artifacts.
• Visitors can explore well-preserved Roman bathhouses, water channels, and the stone-paved road leading to ancient Alexandreia Troa.
• The tour also provides insights into the engineering feats of the Roman era, with visits to Kocali and Akcakecili villages known for their granite quarries.

Overview of the Day Trip

This Troy day trip offers an 8-hour excursion from Canakkale to the ancient site of Apollon Smintheus.

Highlights include a 2nd-century BC temple dedicated to Apollo and mice, Roman ruins, and ancient granite quarries.

The small group tour provides transport, entrance fees, lunch, and hotel/port pickup and drop-off.

With a group size of 15 travelers or fewer, this immersive experience allows visitors to explore the historical and archaeological significance of the region.

The itinerary features visits to the Apollon Smintheus site, nearby Roman ruins, and the Kocali and Akcakecili villages known for their ancient granite quarries.

Highlights of the Itinerary

The Apollon Smintheus site forms the centerpiece of this day trip. Travelers will explore the 2nd-century BC temple ruins and learn about its association with mice.

They’ll also see carvings from Homer’s Iliad on the temple walls. After the temple visit, the group will head to nearby Roman ruins, including a bathhouse, water channels, and a stone-paved road to Alexandreia Troa.

The day also includes:

1. A visit to the Smintheus Museum to view artifacts from the site.
2. Travels to Kocali and Akcakecili villages to observe ancient granite quarries.
3. Seeing colossal, near-finished Roman-era columns, including a 39-foot pillar.
4. Learning about how these columns were sculpted from bedrock for transport to Rome.

Exploring Apollon Smintheus

Towering temple ruins of Apollon Smintheus stand as a testament to the region’s ancient Greek heritage.

Travelers will explore the 2nd-century BC site, which was dedicated to the god Apollo and his association with mice. Intricate carvings from Homer’s Iliad decorate the site, providing insight into the temple’s significance.

Nearby, the group will view the remnants of Roman ruins, including a bathhouse, water channels, and a stone-paved road leading to Alexandreia Troa.

If open, the Smintheus Museum offers a chance to see artifacts excavated from the temple grounds.

This immersive experience offers a glimpse into the rich history that shaped this ancient Greek and Roman landscape.

Visiting Nearby Roman Ruins

After exploring the impressive temple ruins of Apollon Smintheus, the day trip venture continues to nearby Roman ruins.

The tour includes visits to:

1. The well-preserved Roman bathhouse, showcasing the architectural prowess of the era.
2. Remarkably intact water channels that once supplied the city with essential resources.
3. A stone-paved road leading to the ancient city of Alexandreia Troa, a testament to the advanced infrastructure.
4. The Smintheus Museum, where artifacts from the site are on display, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s history.

Through these encounters, travelers gain a comprehensive appreciation for the rich Roman legacy that has endured in this captivating corner of Turkey.

The Smintheus Museum

Following the exploration of the remarkable Roman ruins, the day trip culminates with a visit to the Smintheus Museum.

Housed in a modern facility, the museum showcases an impressive collection of artifacts unearthed from the Apollon Smintheus site. Visitors can examine intricately carved stone reliefs, sculptures, and inscriptions that provide insights into the temple’s history and religious significance.

The museum’s knowledgeable staff is on hand to share their expertise, enriching the experience. With its well-curated exhibits, the Smintheus Museum offers a captivating conclusion to the day’s journey, leaving travelers with a deeper understanding of the region’s ancient heritage.

Discovering Granite Quarries

Venturing beyond the ancient Roman ruins, the day trip takes visitors to the nearby villages of Kocali and Akcakecili, renowned for their impressive granite quarries.

Here, travelers can observe colossal, near-finished Roman-era columns scattered throughout the landscape. These include:

1. A massive 39-foot (12-meter) pillar at Kocali.
2. 15 equally impressive columns at Akcakecili.
3. Bedrock that was meticulously sculpted to create these architectural wonders.
4. An insightful look into the engineering feats of the Roman era.

Exploring these quarries provides a unique glimpse into the resourcefulness and craftsmanship that went into constructing the grand structures of the ancient world.

Logistics and Additional Details

The day trip conveniently includes pickup from hotels or ports in Canakkale in an air-conditioned vehicle.

During the scenic drive, travelers will enjoy views of rural Turkey.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but strollers are allowed, though infants must sit on laps.

Confirmation is received at booking, but a minimum of 2 people is required per booking.

Unfortunately, the tour is non-refundable, and cancellations result in no refunds.

However, the tour has an impressive overall rating of 5.0 out of 1 review, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.

Sum Up

The Troy Day Trip from Canakkale provides an exceptional opportunity to take in the captivating history and mythology of the ancient city of Troy. With guided visits to the iconic Trojan Horse, ancient ruins, and reconstructed city gates, this excursion offers a comprehensive exploration of Troy’s enduring significance. Travelers can expect a well-curated and informative experience, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for this legendary destination.