The ancient city of Troy, in what is now called Hisarlik, was located in northwest of Türkiye 4,000 years ago. (wjarek (Adobe Stock))
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As a child spending summers by the Aegean Coast, in Asia Minor, I was always fascinated by Greek Mythology. The stories were full of drama, flawed heroes, terrifying monsters and questions about fate, pride and power. That combination stirs the same emotions today as it did thousands of years ago.
Summer blockbuster movies start in the upcoming weeks, and Christopher Nolan’s new epic movie “The Odyssey” does just that. It stars Hollywood A-list actors such Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon as Odysseus, King of Ithaca.
Walking alone you experience foundations, trenches, stone gates and crumbled walls that once stood next to a harbor. (Toygar Ayla)
“The Odyssey” is an epic poem written by Homer about a hero’s long voyage back home. It is a story about endurance, temptation and the desire to see loved ones once again. Like any other great story ever told, it needs a starting point and Homer started with the Iliad, a very long war between the Greeks (Achaeans) and Trojans. I think we all know about the “Trojan Horse” from history books.
To me it was not just a story, but real. The ancient city of Troy, in what is now called Hisarlik, was located in northwest of Türkiye 4,000 years ago. It was rediscovered by famous German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s along the Aegean Coast near the entrance to the Dardanelles Strait, the same site that became a battleground for Gallipoli campaign during World War I centuries later.
Troy has been rebuilt many times throughout history. The ruins seen today are actually multiple layers from different periods. There are at least nine layers, standing on top of each other. In some parts, you may find part of the original city dating back to what they call Troy I. It used to excite my imagination when I was a kid: the ancient city ruins, filled with magical treasures to find.
Walking alone you experience foundations, trenches, stone gates and crumbled walls that once stood next to a harbor. Now the landscape is different, dry, green and flat, farmland as far as the eye can see. It is hard to imagine what it was like in the time of Homer, a harbor full of ships, a symbol of vast wealth, power and trade, is nowhere to be found today.
Once a wealthy and powerful nation, it was destroyed by wars and natural disasters. Maybe the most famous of all is the Temple of Athena. It was built on the top of the palace over the hill, destroyed in an earthquake. Luckily, you may find some of the artifacts within walking distant to the Troy Museum. There are incredible pieces that date back to the Bronze and Iron ages as well as the Roman period, all extracted during the excavation of the city of Troy and the surrounding area. Illustrating Troy’s legacy as a crucial hub at the crossroads of trade routes between East and West.
Now the landscape is different, dry, green and flat, farmland as far as the eye can see. (czamfir (Adobe Stock))
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You may even find a life‑sized replica of a Trojan Horse in the courtyard. As a kid, I was absolutely convinced it was the real one from the siege—as though they just left it there and everyone moved on. I’d imagine what it must’ve been like to be one of those ancient soldiers, crammed inside, whispering about who forgot deodorant while waiting to take over the city. Honestly, it was probably the Bronze Age version of being stuck in a packed subway car on a sweaty summer day.
Traveling from Istanbul to Troy feels like slipping out of the modern busy metropolis and drifting toward the world of myth. Most travelers begin with a comfortable long‑distance bus ride to Canakkale, the lively coastal city that serves as the gateway to the ancient site. The journey takes around five to six hours, rolling past quiet villages and the shimmering landscape. From Canakkale, Troy sits just 30 kilometers away, easily reached by local bus or taxi.
If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, joining a guided tour group from Istanbul is a seamless and surprisingly enriching option. These tours typically include round‑trip transport, a knowledgeable guide, and entry to both the archaeological site and the museum.
For those who prefer freedom over schedules, driving is the most flexible way to go with a shorter travel time. This option is perfect for travelers who want to explore beyond Troy and visit the battlefields of Gallipoli. Summer can be very hot, so moving at your own pace leaves more room for leisure.
Stepping into the ancient city of Troy feels like stepping into a storybook. A story full of heroes, battles, and big adventures. It is not just ancient poems or epic stories; it is standing where legends once lived.
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As a kid, I was absolutely convinced it was the real one from the siege—as though they just left it there and everyone moved on. (Toygar Ayla)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of War.
