During the Hellenistic Period and the Roman Empire, Bergama experienced its most prosperous days. However, after the division of the Roman Empire, it remained within the borders of the Eastern Roman Empire. Over time, Bergama lost its significance, but its revival began with the settlement of the Turks in Anatolia.
The region known in antiquity as Mysia, which today includes Balıkesir, Çanakkale, and Bergama, was conquered mainly in the late 13th century by Seljuk frontier lord Kalem Bey and his son Karesi Bey. During the decline of the Anatolian Seljuk State, numerous Turkish principalities emerged across Anatolia. Karesi Bey declared his independence in the early 1300s, thus establishing the Karasid Principality.
The Karasid Principality bordered the Ottoman Principality to the east and the Saruhan Principality (Saruhanoğulları Beyliği) to the south. As a result, it turned its focus towards the Byzantine-controlled lands of Rumelia and the Aegean islands. Karesi Bey and his son Bey achieved military successes against the Byzantines and Venetians, thanks to their strong naval forces. During Yahşi Bey’s rule, the principality’s capital was moved to Bergama, which increased its importance and subsequent development activities.
Following Yahşi Bey’s death, internal conflicts led to the annexation of the Karasid Principality by the Ottoman Principality in 1345 through an agreement. The Karesi fleet and the military experience gained in Rumelia provided a strong foundation for Ottoman conquests in the Balkans. Additionally, descendants of Karesi Bey continued to serve in various positions under Ottoman rule, with records tracing their presence up to the 18th century.
The only surviving cultural heritage from the Karasid Principality in Bergama is the Seljuk Minaret (Selçuklu Minaresi). The mosque and the adjacent madrasah connected to this minaret were demolished in the 1930s. The Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), built during the reign of Yıldırım Bayezid, is an outstanding example of the period’s architectural style and remains one of the most significant cultural legacies of the Turkish period in Bergama.
Throughout the Ottoman period, Bergama remained an important trade center in the Northern Aegean region. This commercial activity, mainly centered around Bergama carpets and other textile products, contributed to the relative prosperity of the region. Structures such as Taş Han, Çukurhan, and the Bedesten reflect this commercial vibrancy, while charitable constructions like Hacı Hekim Mosque, Şadırvanlı Mosque, and Parmaklı Masjid stand as testaments to the wealth generated from trade.
In the second half of the 19th century, the initiation of archaeological excavations at Pergamon brought Bergama back into the global spotlight. These excavations, which continue to this day, have unearthed many artifacts from antiquity. Ataturk recognized the importance of promoting Bergama’s cultural heritage, and during his visit in 1934, he suggested that a fair be organized for this purpose. Following several years of preparation, the Bergama Fair (Bergama Kermesi), the first local fair of the Republican era, was held in 1937 and has been celebrated annually ever since.
Having hosted numerous civilizations from the Hellenistic Period to the present, Bergama boasts a multi-layered cultural landscape. In 2014, UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List under the name “Pergamon and Its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape”. Today, Bergama is one of Türkiye’s most important cultural tourism destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors annually.