This morning began with an incredible sunrise. Next we crossed from Greece to Turkey, and in Turkey we took a ferry from the continent of Europe to the continent of Asia...all within 30 minutes!
It was mainly a travel day but we ended the day at the ancient city of Troy. It is the longest running excavation in Turkey, lasting from 1860 until today. The ancient city has 36 layers with the earliest city (Troy 1) dating back to 3,000 BC. There is one remaining wall from that time period. Troy 2 (2,500 BC) remains we're quite expansive with an impressive ramp and walls. Of course, Troy is famous for the Trojan War and mysterious Trojan horse which Homer recorded some 500 years later...if it actually took place. It is an important part of Greek mythology, but some believe it to be a historical event. Interestingly the remains found for "Troy 6" would have been around the time period of this well-told battle, and there is fire damage to the walls. So, scholars know it was attacked...just not sure if it is precisely as Homer records and as Greek mythology says.
Pics below include the beautiful sunrise (our last day in Greece), all the pilgrims studying our new terrain in Turkey (trust me we all have confused looks on our faces), Troy 1 walls, Troy 7 baths and ruins and the Roman theater--as there was a small roman city here. Our tour guide said that eventually Troy was abandoned because of the growing swampy terrain and the prevalence of malaria.
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