Alexandria Troas - Christian Turkiye

Alexandria Troas, called “Troas” in the Bible, was a port city on the northern Aegean (western) coast of Asia Minor (today’s Türkiye). In the 50s AD, the Apostle Paul used this port to travel between Greece and Asia Minor on his missionary journeys. Troas later became a major center of Christianity.

Troas was one of the largest port cities in Asia Minor, covering an area of around four square kilometers (2.5 square miles). It was at the entrance of the Hellespont (today called The Dardanelles), an inland waterway connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. That made it the hub of two important trade routes—one between Asia Minor and Greece and the other between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The city was also near important granite quarries.

Successive Roman emperors contributed to Troas’s infrastructure, especially Roman statesman Herodes Atticus, who sponsored the building of its aqueduct, theater, and baths. In addition to their own contributions, Julius Caesar and Constantine the Great even considered moving the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Troas!

As recorded in the Book of Acts in the Bible, during his second missionary journey, Paul, with his companion Silas, was in Troas when he had a vision of a man in Macedonia calling to Paul, saying, “Come and help us!” Paul and Silas then sailed from Troas to the Greek Island of Samothrace and continued to Neapolis in Macedonia (northern Greece).

Is Troas the Same as the City of Troy?

Alexandria Troas and Troy are not the same city but are in the same region called Troas. The region is now called the Biga Peninsula, in today’s Çanakkale province of Türkiye.

After Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, his top generals, collectively called The Diadochi, built many new cities in their conquered lands. They named many of them Alexandria after Alexander the Great. The suffix “Troas” was added to distinguish this particular Alexandria from the others. So, the city’s name means “Alexandria in Troas.”

Early History of Troas

Foundation of Troas

Alexandria Troas was founded between 311 and 307 BC by Antigonus I Monopthalmus (the “one-eyed”), one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Seeing the strategic and economic potential of the area (called Troas), Antigonus founded the city and populated it with people from several local settlements. He named the city “Antigoneia,” after himself. But the name was not to last.

322—281 BC: The Wars of the Diadochi

Alexander the Great’s generals, collectively called The Diadochi, became rivals and went to war with each other.

301 BC: The Battle of Ipsus

At Ipsus (today’s town of Çayırbağ in the Afyonkarahisar province of Türkiye), three other former generals of Alexander defeated Antigonus in battle.

Lysimachus Takes the City

After the Battle of Ipsus, Lysimachus, one of the victorious generals, took control of a large part of western Asia Minor, including Antigoneia. He re-founded the city and named it “Alexandria” in honor of Alexander the Great.

282 BC: Philetaerus Takes Troas

Philetaerus was Lysimachus’s main general. Lysimachus rebelled against Antigonus and took control of Pergamum. Soon after, Lysimachus was killed in battle, leaving Philetaerus uncontested rule over western Asia Minor. He became the first of a dynasty of kings, based in Pergamum and later called the Attalid Dynasty, who would rule the region. The Attalids would become friends and loyal allies of Rome.

Stone walls at Alexandria Troas. — The stone walls of Alexandria Troas.

133 BC: Rome Inherits Western Asia Minor

Attalus III, the last king of the Attalid Dynasty, had no heir. To prevent civil wars over his throne, Attalus bequeathed his entire kingdom, including Troas, to the Romans.

129 BC: The Romans Incorporate Troas into the Province of Asia

The Romans, now the rulers of western Asia Minor, created a new province called “Asia” (not to be confused with the continent of Asia). Troas thrived under the Romans’ control and generosity and became one of the most important cities and ports in Asia Minor.

Troas in the Bible

In the 50s AD, the Apostle Paul used the port at Troas to travel between Asia Minor and Greece during his second and third missionary journeys. Paul and his companions also stayed and preached in Troas for seven days, and the city became an important center of Christianity.

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (50—52 AD)

On his second missionary journey, Paul traveled through Asia Minor, preaching the gospel accompanied by Silas and Timothy. They intended to enter the regions of Mysia and Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit stopped them, so they went to Troas. In Troas, Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for their help. Concluding that God wanted them to preach the Gospel in Macedonia, they boarded a ship at the port of Troas. They sailed to Neapolis in Macedonia, bringing the Gospel of Christ to Europe.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (53—58 AD)

Paul and his companions visited Troas again. He was returning from Philippi, in Macedonia, taking an alternate route to avoid a group of Jews who were lying in wait to kill him. Paul’s companions made the trip earlier since Paul wanted to stay in Macedonia for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Five days after the feast, Paul arrived in Troas and met his companions there. They stayed and preached in Troas for seven days.

What Happened in Troas in the Book of Acts

Eutychus Falls from a Window

One night, Paul was preaching in a third-story room until a very late hour. Around midnight, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep while sitting in a window. He hit the ground, motionless, and everyone thought he was dead. Paul went down to him, put his arms around him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed! He is alive!” Paul then went back upstairs and continued preaching until daylight.

Moving On to Assos

The next day, Paul and his companions left Troas for Assos. While his companions went by ship, Paul walked some 50 kilometers (31 miles, a twelve-hour walk) to Assos and met his companions there.

Biblical References

Acts 16:6—11, 20:1—13

In 2 Corinthians 2:12—13, Paul mentions being in Troas again, but it is uncertain when this happened. It may have been during his third missionary journey.

In 2 Timothy 4:13, while imprisoned in Rome, Paul asks Timothy to bring his cloak, books, and parchments that he had left in Troas.

Where is Troas?

Troas is located on the northwest (Aegean) coast of Türkey (Asia Minor). It is 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) southeast of the modern town of Dalyan, in the Ezine district of Çanakkale province.

Map of Troas

Important! If you’re on-site at Troas, you can use your mobile device with the navigable version of this map to see exactly where you are in relation to the various buildings there. CLICK HERE for the large Google map.

What to See at Troas

Troas is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re an enthusiast of Biblical history. At the archaeological site, you’ll see the remains of its famous bath, five odeons (small theaters), a theater, a gymnasium, a nymphaeum (fountain), a stadium, an aqueduct, and a necropolis.

Much of Troas is overgrown or covered by soil. As with all ancient sites, most of the stones used in its buildings were removed for reuse in other buildings, especially those in Constantinople.

The site is massive and on both the north and south sides of the main road passing through it. If you’re on foot, expect a walk of several kilometers, and allow a full day to visit if you want to explore the site thoroughly.

City Walls

The walls of Troas are still visible and span around eight kilometers (five miles). Originally, they were ten kilometers (6.2 miles) long and included defensive towers at regular intervals.

Eastern Gate

The Eastern Gate dates back to the third century BC. It’s also called the Neandria Gate because the road leading through it leads to the city of Neandria, the ruins of which are some ten kilometers (6.2 miles) east. The gate has a small inner court and two towers, one on each side. It is also where the aqueduct enters the city.

Aqueduct of Emperor Trajan

The Aqueduct is next to the eastern gate. It was built in 135 AD to bring water to the city from nearby Mount Ida (Turkish: Kaz Dağları). Funded by the Roman Emperor Trajan, its construction was overseen by Herodus Atticus, the prefect of the free cities of the Roman Province of Asia and one of the richest men of the ancient world.

Gymnasium and Baths of Herodus Atticus

Called Bal Saray (Honey Palace) by the local Turks, the Gymnasium and Baths were commissioned by Herodus Atticus and built simultaneously with the aqueduct. The baths building was one of the largest in the Roman Empire, measuring 123 x 84 meters (404 x 276 feet). The building collapsed during an earthquake in 1809, but its foundation, walls, and the propped-up arched entrance can still be seen today.

Temple of Apollo

Built at the end of the first century AD, only the foundations and bases of the temple’s walls are visible today, along with an altar in front of the entrance.

Theater

The theater is on the left side of a road leading south of the main site. At the city’s highest point, audiences could enjoy watching a performance and viewing the city, its harbor, and distant islands, including Lesvos. You can enjoy the same view today, except for the performance.

Odeon

Near the Temple of Apollo is an Odeon, a smaller version of a theater.

Basilica

The remains of an early Christian basilica are located around 330 meters (360 yards) northeast of the Temple of Apollo and 170 meters (185 yards) north of the main road through the city.

Stadium

The stadium, which dates to around 100 BC, has yet to be excavated and is covered with soil and vegetation. It is some 180 meters southwest of the main road, in the western part of the city near the harbor, where the road beds to the north.

Harbor

The ancient harbor is on the southwest side of the modern city of Dalyan, to the west of the ancient city. The harbor had two bays, which became silted up and are now dry land, except for a lagoon. The remains of a stoa that circled the inner harbor are still visible, as are various columns in the sea and the lagoon.

How to Go to Troas

Going to Troas by Car

From Çanakkale, drive south on highway E87 for 45.5 kilometers (28.3 miles) to Ezine.
From Ezine, drive west and follow the signs to Geyikli.
Just as you are about to enter Geyikli, turn south (left) at the roundabout (traffic circle).
At the next roundabout, turn south (left) again.
Drive and follow the signs for 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to reach Dalyan.
Drive the road south of Dalyan 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles) from Dalyan to the ruins.

Going to Troas by Public Transportation

From Çanakkale, you can go to the bus station (Otogar) and buy a ticket on the spot for a bus ride to Ezine, which is on the main north-south E87 highway, 50.2 kilometers (31 miles) south of Çanakkale.
During the summer, hourly minibusses run to and from Ezine and Geyikli to nearby Dalyan. Minibus service is less frequent in winter.
You can take a taxi from Dalyan or walk down the road south of Dalyan 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles, 22 minutes) to the Troas ruins.

Troas Opening Hours

The Troas archaeological site is open every day.

Summer Season (1 April to 30 September): 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Winter Season (1 October to 31 March): 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Note: The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the site closing time.