Troy (24th of April, 2015)

The weather has improved so we are on a morning tour of Troy. Amazing place, 9 different cities all built on top of each other.

 This was the view from our balcony this am. Looking toward Canakkele. We were docked at the port.

of course there is also a horse....This one was used in a 1960's movie.
However there is more to Troy than a horse it has a huge history. It sits on a large plain on the Asian side of the entrance to the Dardenelles,  west of Canakkele.  This was a port that very strategic in ancient times because of its position at the entrance to the Dardenelles from the Agean. This also controlled all the shipping through to Constantinople and on to Russia via the black Sea. The first Troy is believed to be at least 5000 b.c. The second 2500 b.c.  and so on up to the last one in Roman time which was the 9th Troy. Each was built on top of the last and was destroyed by various earthquakes and wars.The excavations go down about 4 meters from the top. The original explorer looking for buried treasure blasted with dynamite and destroyed parts of the site.

A 6th Troy war with notches along the wall to make it difficult for enemies to see each other, it is impossible as they scale the wall.

 Another view of the 6th Troy wall.

The wallfrom Troy 3 

 The mud brick wall from Troy 2.

 What is believed to be part  of Tro
 This is the walls of Troy 6.

The odeon from Roman times Troy 8

 The main road into Troy 2

 

The columns from early Roman times (the tops of Columns

 that are buried)

There is always a sleeping or hungry dog.

 The washing well Troy 4,  the days of Alexander the great.

Looking over the entrance to the Dardenelles to Cape Hellers lighthouse. 

Arriving back at the ship to prepare for the night ahead.
looking towards Canakkele, no on is allowed in the Canakkele harbour, or on the Gallipoli peninsular until the appointed times as the President of Turkey and HRH Prince Charles and HRH Prince Henry of Wales (Harry) are at the British commemorations,  and the security has gone nuts. So  the ferries are still leaving by the more southerly port and have to go through the eastern Agean to get to the Dardenelles and the Gallipoli peninsular.