Troy’s story stretches back over 5,000 years, making it one of the most important and fascinating archaeological sites in human history. Located at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait (ancient Hellespont), Troy controlled one of the most strategic trade routes between Asia and Europe. This prime location meant that Troy was not only a wealthy city but also a target for powerful empires throughout the ages.

The earliest settlement, known as Troy I, dates to around 3000 BC during the Early Bronze Age. Over thousands of years, Troy was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, resulting in nine distinct archaeological layers. Each layer represents a different era, from early Anatolian communities to mighty classical cities.

The most legendary chapter in Troy’s history is the Trojan War, immortalized by Homer’s Iliad. According to the epic, the Greek coalition besieged Troy for ten years after the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, the queen of Sparta. The war’s climax came with the ingenious ruse of the Trojan Horse – a massive wooden structure left at the city gates, seemingly as an offering. The Trojans brought it inside their walls, unaware it hid Greek soldiers. Under cover of night, the warriors emerged, opened the gates, and allowed the Greek army to enter and destroy the city.

While historians debate the accuracy of Homer’s tale, archaeological evidence suggests that a massive war or series of conflicts did indeed take place around Troy VI or VII (circa 13th century BC). Burn layers and destroyed fortifications point to violent sieges, lending some truth to the legend.

Interest in Troy’s history was reignited in the 19th century by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who conducted extensive excavations between 1870 and 1890. Although his methods were often destructive by modern standards, Schliemann uncovered monumental walls, gates, and treasures that proved Troy was not merely a myth. Later excavations by Wilhelm Dörpfeld and more recent international teams refined our understanding of the site, revealing its complexity and importance.

During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Troy – then known as Ilium – became a symbol of cultural heritage. The Romans, who traced their mythical origins to Trojan survivors led by Aeneas, lavished attention on the city. Emperors such as Augustus, Hadrian, and Constantine funded major building projects, including temples, theatres, and public spaces. Troy became a pilgrimage destination for Roman citizens seeking to honor their supposed ancestors.

However, with the shifting of trade routes and the decline of the Byzantine Empire, Troy’s influence waned. By the late medieval period, the once-great city was largely abandoned, its ruins gradually swallowed by the earth.

In 1998, Troy was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cementing its status as a place of global cultural importance. Today, the site attracts historians, archaeologists, and travelers eager to walk in the footsteps of heroes, kings, and poets. Visitors can explore the remnants of ancient walls, stand at the famed Scaean Gate, and view the striking modern replica of the Trojan Horse that symbolizes this legendary city.

Troy is not merely a ruin – it is a bridge between myth and history, where archaeology and storytelling meet. For thousands of years, it has captured human imagination, and with every excavation season, new discoveries continue to shed light on its enduring legacy.