did the city of troy really exist?

Because Homer described it as being close to the Hellespont, (Dardanelles) and gave more descriptions on its whereabouts. More ancient historians gave directions to the tomb of Achilles, near by and people (like Alexander the great) would go to offer sacrifices. Later on, after the decline of the Greek world, this knowledge was lost and the location of Troy was (temporarily) lost. But everyone knew, because of the ancient writers' accounts that it was located in modern-day Turkey.

There're many theories about the existence on not of Homer, even the possibility that there were many "Homers" and that it was not really a name but a profession, that of the storyteller. But that was not our topic in this thread. However if you feel like elaborating, please go ahead!