HEROON IN PERGAMON
The Heroon is a sacred cult site, consisting of a prayer room and a single courtyard, built to honor the Pergamon kings who were deified during the Hellenistic period. It is believed to have been constructed during the reign of King Attalos I, and both Attalos I and Eumenes II, two of Pergamon’s earliest kings, were worshiped here. For this reason, the site was also referred to as Attaleion and Eumeneion.
The Heroon underwent significant changes during the Roman period. Originally, the Hellenistic structures on the acropolis were constructed primarily with gray andesite sourced from the slopes of the acropolis mountain. During Roman times, marble, a hallmark of Roman architecture, was incorporated extensively alongside the original andesite, reflecting the evolution of building practices and materials over time.
To continue reading about Pergamon, click the link below: Pergamon!
[2025 Update] The Heroon of Pergamon — the monumental tomb and hero-sanctuary dedicated to the city’s rulers — is one of the Acropolis’s more intimate yet significant structures for archaeology enthusiasts visiting in 2025. While less famous than the Altar of Zeus or the Theatre, the Heroon provides important insight into the royal cult practices of the Attalid dynasty. Ongoing excavation and conservation work at the Pergamon Acropolis continues under a collaboration between German and Turkish archaeologists, with new findings periodically published. Visitors to Bergama who take the time to explore all corners of the Acropolis — beyond the most photographed spots — will find the Heroon a quietly compelling addition to their Pergamon experience.
CATEGORIES
