PROGRAM

Ancient Pergamon’s Acropolis, a major archaeological site of global renown, stands as the architectural pinnacle of one of the most powerful Hellenistic and Roman cities in Asia Minor. The remnants of its historical layers extend through multiple levels, reaching into the modern city of Bergama at its base. Recognizing the value of this cultural palimpsest, UNESCO inscribed it in 2014 as ‘Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape’.

The workshop addresses the theme of exemplary ancient architectural composition and explores its potential relationship with the present through the introduction of contemporary interventions. Such interventions may respond to different objectives, ranging from visitor support to the enhancement of urban and landscape relationships through museographic strategies.

The project is organized along two main lines: first, addressing the enclosure, a key element in the Acropolis’ design both in plan and topography; second, implementing targeted architectural interventions within the ancient fabric, particularly considering the unique absence of the Altar of Zeus—the site’s most famous monument, reconstructed in Berlin in the 19th century after major excavations by German archaeologists. Both approaches are underpinned by reflections on the physical and intangible connections between the various parts of the site and the surrounding cultural landscape.

The workshop lasts nine days, including arrival and departure, with accommodation and working spaces provided in Izmir, as well as organized travel and accommodation in Bergama for site visits in the project area. The program includes three and a half days dedicated to design development, culminating in a final public review, in addition to seminars led by international experts and visits to significant sites of Turkish cultural heritage.