Day 07 - Pergamum (Part 2) & Kusadasi

We started our Tuesday returning to Pergamum. We visited the Temple of Asklepios, god of healing, where many early citizens made pilgrimages due to the hot healing waters. The earliest columns date to the 7th century BC, with Roman renovations made in 117-138. The city of Bergma, where it is located, was home to a doctor who wrote one of the very first anatomy books.

The ancient road coming into the temple connected the city with the holy place. The medical symbol of the snake began here because of the ability of snakes to regenerate and to carry their own poison (and live) - I never knew why this symbol was associated with the medical profession.

When people entered the area, before they were admitted in for healing:

-they were asked to carry a large rock to see how healthy they were. There was a large gate with the inscription reading (in Greek): "death cannot enter inside."
- they then had to offer sacrifices to the temple and according to their sacrifice, were admitted for healing (or not!)
- At the entrance was a sacred fountain with flowing healing waters and baths, (water was the basis for treatment). There were also rooms where patients would sleep. While patients were sleeping, they were said to be visited by Asklepion who would tell them what was needed for treatment. This helped the priests or priestesses to treat their ailments accordingly.

Also in this site was a theatre for entertainment. It seems every site has a theatre.

Next we went to a Turkish rug co-op, Desen Carpet Weavers Guild, where we learned about the process of sheering sheep, dying wool, and hand making the rugs. We saw them boiling the silk worms in cocoons to get the silk. Then watched the ladies weaving the fabrics into rugs. They even invited us to sit beside them and try our hand at their looms. So interesting, so hospitable, and so delicious, as we ate lunch on site, a delicious meal prepared by the women and served by the men.

Our next stop was in Kusadasi for a quick walk on the beach before heading to our hotel. Many of us explored the hot baths and spa before walking down to the harbor to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

We sat together at a delicious dinner and shared the highlights of our day, reflecting on all the blessings and wonders we've seen, thanking and praising God for this experience.

Suzanne Scott-Trammell
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Birmingham, AL