Until 1871, classical scholars the world over had thought the city of Troy the stuff of legend. That changed when Austrian millionaire-cum-archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, discovered the city that was the site of the famous war between the Greeks and the Trojans in the 12th century BC. According to Homer, war broke out when Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy, eloped with Helen, the beautiful wife of Menelaus of Sparta. An army led by Menelaus’ brother, Agamemnon, set out in revenge to attack the Trojans. The ensuing war lasted 10 years, until the Greeks made a pretence of retreating. Instead they hid inside a specially-constructed horse, which the Trojans foolishly believed to be a peace offering and took inside their walls, whereupon the cunning Greeks emerged and ransacked the city. The story was made into a Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt in 2004.
Air: Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport. Rail: Train: Balýkesir Station or Bandirma Edirne-Kapýkule Station. Road: Bus: Local Dolmus (minibus) services (from Çanakkale).

Canakkale Tourist Informaton Office, Regional Directorate, Valilik Binasi, Kat 1, Canakkale, Turkey Tel: (0286) 217 5012

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