Hisarlik

Hisarlik is the tell (archaeological mound) commonly identified with ancient Troy, located in Çanakkale Province on Turkey’s northwest Aegean coast. The site is internationally significant for its multilayered record of settlement spanning prehistoric, Bronze Age and historic periods.

The mound exposes remains of successive urban occupations, often referred to in archaeological literature as Troy I through Troy IX, with fortification fragments, domestic remains and public structures preserved in the stratigraphy. Visitors can walk around the mound, view exposed trenches and see conserved masonry and wall sections.

Excavations began in the late 19th century under Heinrich Schliemann and continued with systematic campaigns by Wilhelm Dörpfeld, Carl Blegen and later teams, which established the site’s long occupational history. Finds from the mound include pottery, architectural fragments and artefacts now displayed in regional museums.

Hisarlik lies near the village of Tevfikiye, close to the Dardanelles and the town of Çanakkale on northwest Anatolia’s Aegean shore, making it accessible from the regional transport network.

• Excavation history: First extensively excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s and later by other archaeologists, the site revealed a long sequence of settlement layers.
• Combine with Troy Museum: Combine a visit with the nearby Troy Museum to see finds and contextual displays excavated from the mound.

What to See #

• Mound (Hisarlik): The archaeological mound contains multiple occupation layers, traditionally labelled Troy I through Troy IX, representing successive settlements on the same site.
• Excavation areas and displays: Excavation trenches, restored wall sections and on-site interpretation show stratified remains from Bronze Age through Roman periods.