After Pergamon, our taxi took us to the Red Basilica in Bergama. Originally a temple for the Egyptian god Serapis, the basilica was later converted into a Christian church in the Byzantine era. The brick structure itself is massive and red in colour. Nothing is left in the interior but we could still sense its grandeur from the remains of archways and massive masonry walls. We stayed for roughly half an hour. We had a quick bite of meat pancakes in an eatery. The town was pretty laid back, with donkeys passing by from time to time, and skillful artisans sewing carpets at shopfronts along the main road. We ventured further up the hill behind Bergama, passed by a military base, to the ruins of Asclepion. Asclepion was a medical complex in Roman times. We could still recognize the theatre, market, and homes in the ruins. After a full day of sightseeing, we headed back to Izmir and then to Selcuk, where we planned to spend the night.
We arrived at Selcuk at around 21:00. At the station, a guy named Michael approached us to sell bus tickets. At last, he convinced us to purchase the tickets to Pammukale for the day after tomorrow. The van from Homerous Pension finally arrived and took us to the beautifully decorated guesthouse. Unique furniture in every room and common area, and friendly staff throughout the establishment, including our host Oya.
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