Assos
     The city of Assos, constructed in VII BC, in which Aristo established his philosophy school can be reached by getting on a public transportation vehiche from Ayvacýk (you will first have to get Ayvacýk from Çanakkale or Edremit) that depart every 30 minutes.
     Assos is now a most important ancient centre of population in Çanakkale. The history of Assos (Behramkale) date back up to 2000BC. It is known to have been constructed by the Aiol Colony coming from Tespos (Midilli) Island in 1000BC. Assos, under the dominance of Lidians and Persians in VI BC was affiliated with Atik Delos (Sea Union) like many western Anatolian cities. The city having been dominated by Macedonia upon the state of war of Alexander the Great to Asia was dominated by Bergama Kingdom, Roman Empire and Byzantine respectively after the death of Alexander the Great. In the period of Murat I, it was within the bourders of the Ottoman Empire.
     The Assos antique city, built on the hill compromising of andesite stones of over 235 metres, was constructed as beautifully as the Chinese Retaining Wall, and was surrounded by 8 towers of at least 20 metres height and with city walls of 3200 metres on which 12 different doors take place. In Assos, compromising of such constructions as Athena Temple, Gymnasium, Agora, bath, a city with a theatre, an ancient harbour, Mendirek and Antrepo, the first scientific excavations were realised by an American committee including J.T.Clarke and F.Bacon. while a part of the Works found these excavations were taken to the Louvre and Boston Museums, a part of those staying in our country is displayed in Ýstanbul Archeology Museum. Assos, untouched after the first excavations, was opened to such excavations with the exertions of Prof.Dr. Ümit Serdaroðlu. Today, the excavations are seriously conducted by an excavation committee with Mr. Serdaroðlu as the chief.
     The story of Assos is that the king of Assos had a sister who was so beautiful that the men seeing her could not get her out of their minds. Aristo, a famous philosopher was Hermios' friend from the school years. Hermios invited Aristo to Assos. Aristo accepted this invitation and at diner time, he fell in love with Pythias at first sight. He could no longer enjoy life. Hermios promised him to let him marry his sister if he established a school in Assos, and the story ended happily. Aristo marries Pythias and the philosophy school was established. Between the years 348-345 BC, Aristo prepared his work named "Erdem'e Övgü" there. Today, in the region, there has been a visible extension in the accomodation capacity and the number of visitors.