Altar of Zeus, Pergamum
Foundations of the Zeus Altar in Pergamum. Photo
Yulia. 
The Altar of Zeus had a commanding view of the city, and still does.
Photo © www.HolyLandPhotos.org.
The Altar of Zeus was located beyond this ancient theater in Pergamum.
Photo © Dick Osseman.
The site of the famous Zeus Altar of ancient Pergamum is located south of the theater on the Acropolis.
History
The Zeus Altar was constructed by Eumenes II (197-159 BC) as a memorial of his victory against the Galatians.
The altar had the shape of a horseshoe and was over 100 feet long on both sides. It was composed of four parts, the most striking of which are the high reliefs depicting the war between the giants and the gods.
The Zeus Altar was taken from Pergamon in 1871 and carried to Germany by the German engineer Carl Humann. It is now exhibited at the Museum of Pergamum in Berlin.
What to See
There is little to see at the site today; just the foundations of the altar beneath two large shade trees near the theater. But it is enough to provide a sense of the magnitude of the great shrine.
The Turkish government is in the process of trying to get the prized artifact back from Germany, bringing the issue to international court.
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Altar of Zeus in Bergama (Pergamum). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Bergama Map or get our free Google Earth download.
