ANTALYA

TERMESSOS

This is perhaps the most interesting ancient city in the Antalya region, a Psidian city build at a height of 1050 meters in the Taurus Mountains. Termessos constitutes an unusual synthesis of a large number of rare plants and animal species, which are under protection in the Termessos National Park. When turning off the Antalya-Burdur highway (11 Km.) in the direction of Korkuteli, the Termessos signpost will be seen 14 Km. further on, and Termessos it self is a further 9 Km. a visit to this site requires time and the stamina to walk uphill, because Termessos is build entirely on a mountainous are difficult of access. The inhabitants of Termessos were known as the Solyms but unlike those of other cities of the time they did not come from the sea and were entirely of Anatolian origin. What is known of their history commences principally at the time that Alexander the Great surrounded the city in 333 B.C., which he likened to an eagle's nest and failed to conquer. Termessos, after a gradual decline, was finally abandoned by the 5th century A.D. Some of the remains found there are the walls, Hadrian's triumphal arch, cisterns, theater, gymnasium, agora, Odeon. Among the tombs which are scattered far and wide can be seen those of alcetas, Agatemeros and the Lion decorated sarcophagi, which are extraordinary.

ARIASSOS

At a distance of 48 Km. along the Antalya Burdur highway and before arriving at the village Dag, turn left and Ariassos is reached 1 km. further on. A city of antiquity, Ariassos was built in a valley and could survey its surroundings. The gate, baths, rock tombs and mausoleum are worth seeing.

THE CITY WALLS

The ancient city of Antalya was protected by two walls, in the shape of a horseshoe, one enclosing it along the shore and the other inland. In addition, there were walls within the city separating the various settlements, and a great number of towers on the outer walls at 50 paces from each other. These walls date back to ancient times and, as was the general rule, the Romans built on the Hellenistic foundations and these were subsequently widens and repaired by the Seljuks. Many stone blocks with ancient inscriptions were used and the walls were well protected until the end of the 19th century. Today in the city can be seen the remains of some of the walls, a few turrets, Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, and the "HIDIRLIK" Tower.

THE FORTRESS AND YACHT HARBOR

The ancient city center enclosed by the sea and land walls is today called the "Kale Ici" (Inner Bailey). The streets and buildings still bear the marks of Antalya's history. The characteristic of the houses do not lie only in their architecture but reflect the living habits, customs and social ways of the inhabitants of ancient Antalya and are thus a valuable source of information. This streets within the bailey are narrow, and stretch upwards from the harbor and along by the walls. The difference in the houses shows the economic status of the owners or the purpose for which they were used. However, they share many common factors. Most of them were built of masonry interspersed with timber. Each one has a front and back garden. They are very few windows on the street side of the first floor of the house. On the top floor is a "cumba" or trellised projection in harmony with the architecture of the house and street, adorned with wooden ornaments. The center of the house is on the ground floor and opens onto a paved courtyard called "taslik" and where there are wooden benches. This leads into the ground floor rooms and there is also a staircase to the upper floors. The ground floor is largely the house's servicing area and consists of the kitchen, storage room, etc. while the upper floor contains the living quarters, although kitchen and storage room can sometimes be seen on the top floor. The upper floor rooms are larger and lighter with large windows. In some of these houses the top floor rooms have two rows of windows, one on top of the other, and in some cases the upper rows do not have any glass only wooden lattices. The bottom row can be opened. In the upper part of some of the "cumba" are small pieces of glass, sometimes colored. A few of the buildings within the harbor have been restored and restoration is continuing. Today in the inner bailey, can be found places of entertainment, guesthouses, restaurants, shops selling souvenirs and old carpets and other necessities, a supermarket servicing the yacht as well as other amenities required by them, and it is in fact an attractive center of tourism. The port of Antalya was formerly considered after Mersin as the only port on Turkey's western seaboard where ships could dock. However, today it is used exclusively as a yacht harbor. After the new industrial harbor west of Antalya went into operation, the former port became known as the Yacht Harbor.

HADRIAN'S GATE

This is one of the best preserved monuments in Antalya. This Roman edifice was built in 130 A.D. to honor the Emperor Hadrian. Formerly the city walls enclosed the outside of the gate and it was not used for many years. This may be the reason why it has not been destroyed, and it was only revealed when the walls collapsed. It is considered as Pamphylia's most beautiful Gate. The upper part has three apertures in the shape of a cupola, and except for the pillars is built entirely of white marble. The ornamentation is very striking. The original Gate was two stories but little is known of the top story. On either side of the Gate are towers, which are known not to have been built at the same time. The southern one is known as the Julia Sancta tower and is a work of the Hadrian era. It was constructed of plain stone blocks. While the base of the northern tower belongs to antiquity, the upper part is left over from the Seljuks. It is worth while stopping in front of the Gate and reflecting for a few moments. On the one hand you are standing on modern Antalya's dual carriage way, lined with palm and orange trees, Ataturk Caddesi, while behind you is ancient Attaleia, the past and the present separated by Pamphylia's most beautiful Gate, which itself has on either side towers representing the art and civilization of two different epochs. This blending of the epochs is something peculiar to Antalya and can be often seen.

THE HIDIRLIK TOWER

This tower, which has a square base surmounted by a cylindrical edifice, can be seen at the southern most point of the land walls. Belonging to ancient times, there is a large square block in the interior. The tower is a very solid building and, from the shape of the inside, it is thought to have been used for defense or to send out signals by lighting a fire.

THE TRUNCATED MINARET MOSQUE

Examination of this building reveals that it dates to the 2nd century A.D. and that in the 5th century A.D. a basilica was built on an ancient temple. The son of Bayazit II, Sultan Korkud, transformed it into a mosque and had a minaret added. When a fire broke out in the 19th century the timber section of the minaret was burnt out, and since then it has been called the "truncated minaret". It is to this day in a state of disrepair and does not function as a mosque, but as visitors can see ancient, Byzantine and Seljuk remains all at one time, it still serves as an unusually interesting sight.

THE FLUTED MINARET AND COMPLEX

The "Kalekapisi" neighborhood is where number of buildings of Seljuk origin are concentrated, and consist of the following: the Fluted (Yivli) Minaret, the Yivli Mosque, the Giyaseddin Keyhusrev Medrese, the Seljuk Medrese, the Mevlevi Han, the Zincirkiran Mausoleum and the Nigar Hatun Mausoleum. The Fluted Minaret is one of the first Muslim edifices in Antalya and is an 18th century work of the Seljuk period. Its base is of hewn stone and the trunk of bricks and turquoise colored tiles, and it has eight grooves. This minaret has now become the symbol of Antalya. It is 38 meters high and the top is reached by 90 steps. The Yivli Minaret Mosque is to the west of the Truncated Minaret. It is the oldest example of the multicupola construction in Anatolia; it is covered by six semi-spherical cupolas. It was built in 1372 by Balaban Tavsi and it can be seen that ancient ruins have been used in addition to other products in its construction. Giyaseddin Keyhusrev had the Medrese built in his name by Atabey Armagan in 1239. Facing the entrance of this building are the ruins of what is thought to be a 13th century Seljuk Medrese. The Zincirkiran Mausoleum is north of the Fluted Minaret in the upper garden and is of Seljuk design. However, because of the simplicity of the exterior, of having windows, and the tombs being at a lower level, it has the characteristics of the Ottoman Mausoleums. In was built in 1379 and contains three tombs. The Nigar Hatun Mausoleum is also north of the Fluted Minaret. It is of simple design and is hexagonal in shape. The Seljuk style mausoleum dates back to 1502. It is believed that the Mevlevis house to the west of the Zincirkiran Mausoleum was built by Aladdin Keykubat in 1225. Its inscription has been effaced, but the building has been repaired and is today used as a fine arts gallery.

ISKELE MOSQUE

This is a very small and pretty mosque in the old Yacht Harbor. It is not known when it was built, but it was repaired within the framework of the Inner Bailey restoration project.

KARATAY MEDRESE

The entrance door and niche are fine examples of the Seljuk art of carving. It was built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay and advantage was taken of the Romans walls when building it.

MURAT PASHA MOSQUE

This is opposite the inter-city garage on Sarampol Avenue. It was built in 1570 by Kuyucu Murat Pasha and repaired in 1960.

TEKELI MEHMET PASHA MOSQUE

This is in the vicinity of the Kalekapisi (Clock Tower). It is not known exactly when it was built but it is believed to be between 1593-1607 by Tekeli Mehmet Pasha.

ALANYA

LEATRES - LEATRI

This historical city is situated 22 km.s from the center of the province, on a hill of 900 m high Cebelireis Mountain, and is surrounded with sharp drops in the east, west and south directions. Today it is known that in relation to this historical town coins were minted in the names of Trojan and Empress Herennia Etruscill. Found here churches, baths, cisterns, various dwellings, a small stadium, theater, columnar roads and worshipping places almost all are in a bad condition. The remnant next to the stadium is the center of a church standing with its side naves and abscissa and having traces of red and light blue coloured frescoes in the interior. The innumereous inscriptions and the reliefs depicting the clawns of an eagle and ox heads often seen in these ruins inherently takes one back deep into history. According to the inscriptions that are available, this area lived its best period between the first and third centuries. The temples that the city had between these centuries are Zeus-Megistos, Apollon and Caesar.

SYEDRA ARCHEOLOGICAL RUINS

The city of Syedra is situated on a hill which is being the demarcation line between the present day villages of Kargıcak and Seki. It is at a distance of 20 km.s to the center of Alanya. The center of the city of Syedra or the big city which is situated on a large hill. Now if you like lets walk on the columnar road on which once the Kings and Queens used to stroll. This road is situated north of the temple and extends from east to west. We shall finally conclude our visit after walking along the column road and observing various ruined buildings on both sides of the road and the wall tabloids made with different colored mosaics that have lost very little from their originality after so many centuries. From the inscriptions and the coins minted in the names of Marcus Aureoles and Aritonius between the years of 138 and 161 found in the area this big city is known to be the remnants of the Roman period.

IOTAPE HISTORICAL PORT CITY

IOTAPE which is known as Aytap by the locals is 30 km.s east of Alanya. The name of this city is known to be called after the King Antichus's wife IOTAPE. During the progressing years especially in the Roman Emperor Trainus (98-117) period he had coins minted in his name. Although, this city giving the appearance of the Roman period. We do not have any evidence of the clans that might have lived before, therefore IOTAPE can be rightly said to be a Roman period city. The city has a natural port measuring 50x100 meter.

ALARA INN

Thirty kilometres before reaching Alanya on the Antalya-Alanya highway is the turn-off to the Alara Han, a further 10 km. It was built in 1231 on the orders of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I. It is a very solid construction, entered by a gate with inscriptions and lions heads. It has somewhat the appearance of a fortress as it looks as though it was meant to ward of aggressors.

SARAPSA INN

This site, 15 km. before Alanya and was built during the time of the Seljuk Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev II (1236-1245). It was constructed on a large area and the stone ceiling is still in a good state of repair. It is closed to the south. It, too, has the appearance of a fortress; its ornamental entry gate is on the north side. A small mosque is next to it.

ALARA FORTRESS

This is an unusual tower built on a mountain rising straight up from the bed of the Alara stream which is 200 m. north of the Alara Han. It is not known when it was built, but it was repaired by the Seljuks when they captured it in 1231 and it was used for a long time during the Ottoman era.

KIZIL KULE

After capturing Alanya in 1221 Sultan Aladdin Keykubat gives an order to build a monument which will ensure that Alanya, the symbol of the Turkish rule over the seas, will always stay under the sovereignty of the Turks. Kizil Kule, which still stand strong in its grandeur as it was the day it was built, is named after the reddish stones used in the lower section also after the bricks in the upper section. The cut stones used in the lower section of the tower are believed to be brought from the east of the Dim Strait. Due to the site that Kizil Kule is built on there is 2 meters difference in elevation between the west side and the east side of the tower. Therefore the height in the east side is 35 meters and the height in the west side is 33 meters. Portraying a smooth octagonal shape the tower is of five storeys. At Kizil Kule, the section which rises up to the fourth floor right in the middle forms the backbone of the tower is also used as an extension of the museum to exhibit ethnographic artifacts used around Alanya. It is known that water requirement throughout the year was met by collecting the rain water into the cistern during the winter months with the use of small conduits around the tower.

THE SELJUK SHIPYARD

This shipyard was built two years after the Kizil Kule (Red Tower) in 1228 by the Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat. With this effort the Sultan realized his wish of becoming "Sultan -ul- bahreyn" (the Sultan of the two seas) by preventing possible attacks that may come from the east. The shipyard is 56.5 meters long, 44 meters wide and consists of five chambers. Each chamber is 7.70 meters wide and 42.30 meters deep.

SIDE-MANAVGAT

SIDE

Side is reached by turning south 3 km before Manavgat on the Antalya-Alanya highway. The exact date of its founding is not known. In the language of Anatolia "Side" means Pomegranate. From inscriptions it appears that Side dates back to the Hittites. The city was constructed on a peninsula and was a Hellenistic and Roman town, protected by city and sea walls. One's attention is particularly drawn to the city gates and walls, as well as the many remains of aquaducts which brought water from the Taurus mountains foothills and surrounding country. The old baths have been restored and turned into a museum, in which are exhibited some of the statues and art treasures found in Side. One of its most important buildings is its 15,000 spectator theater. The difference between this Roman theater and other antique theaters in the region is that it is not built against a hillside. The 2 storey theater, built on a series of arches, is 20 m. high. The orchestra and stage are in a state of ruin. Rainwater channels run under the theater. Side has colonnaded streets, a triumphal arch, harbor, baths, fountains, cisterns, aquaducts, temples and a agora.

SELGE

This is north of Manavgat, on the Antalya-Alanya highway, where the Selge signpost will be seen, after which it is a further 55 km. The road is good until Koprulu Canyon, but for the last 12 km. after the ancient bridge, a jeep-type vehicle is recommended. It is particularly beautiful in the area of the Koprulu Canyon. Built at 950 m. above sea level, Selge was a Psidia mountain settlement. The best preserved building is the theater, and the city walls, tower, cisterns, stadium and necropolis are worth seeing.

KEMER

PHASELIS

This is reached west of Antalya and is between Kemer and Adrasan. After passing Phaselis on the Antalya-Kumluca road, signposts leading to Olympos and Cirali will be seen and Olympos can be reached by following either route. Cirali is the name of the village near Olympos, which was a port city established in the 2nd century and which continued to flourish until the 15th century A.D. The famous myth of Bellerophontes is said to have taken place here. The antique city is on two sides of a beautiful valley. A sandy beach is found where the town and the valley meet the sea, into which a mountain stream flows. An hour's walk from Olympos brings you to the natural phenomenon of Cirali. Known by the local inhabitants as the " burning mountain " (Yanartas), it is a result of escaping natural gas, whose flames have been shooting heavenwards for centuries. It is suggested that those who wish to visit the Yanartas for the first time endeavour to be accompanied by someone from the village.

OLYMPOS AND CIRALI

One km. after turning south 57 km. along the Antalya-Kemer highway (in itself a beautiful ride) one reaches Phaselis. This was settled by the Rhodians in the 7th century B.C. and for many years was claimed to be the most important port city of the eastern Lycian seaboard. Phaselis has three harbours: the North harbour, the Military or Protected (enclosed) harbour and the South harbour, of which the most important is the latter. A 20-24 m. wide avenue runs throughout the city. The western end is the site of Hadrian's Gate. On either side of the avenue are sidewalks and shops. Close to these can be seen the public places like the baths, theatre and agora.

KUMLUCA

KORYDALLA

The city, located in the area of today's Kumluca is 90 km's west of Antalya. Although Korydalla belong to the Lycian era, it is known to have developed during Byzantine times. The treasures found in the region are throughout the world, but no important remains can be seen there today.

KALE-DEMRE

MYRA

Situated between Finike and Kas, it is 25 km from Finike and 48 km from Kas. One of the most important of six Lycian cities, it was settled in the 5th century B.C. Although it was originally a coastal town, it has retreated from the sea because of the alluvium from the Demre stream. It was abandoned in the 9th century A.D. after the Arab invasion. The rock tombs, theatre and St. Nicholas Church have survived to make it a place worth visiting. St. Nicholas, born in 245 A.D. in Patara near Fethiye (known variously as St.Nicholas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Heilige Nikolaus and Pere Noel) died in 363 A.D., having spent his life in Anatolia. Son of a wealthy family and of good education, he devoted himself to mankind. Because of the assistance he rendered to those around him, St. Nicholas was known as the protector of children and sailors, and to this day the legend of Father Christmas continues to live as vividly as ever. As the Bishop of Demre, by his religious and social work, he solved the problems of the people in a humane way. After he died he was buried in Demre and a church was built there in his memory. In 108 Italian pirates stole some of his bones and took them to Bari. In their haste they left a few behind and these are today on display in the Antalya Museum. In a number of countries the death of St. Nicholas on 6 December is commemorated by special ceremonies and by giving presents to children, and in fact it takes on the significance of a new year. It was in the years 1951-55 that it was realized that St. Nicholas was Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) and this drew a lot of attention to Turkey, with articales in the papers and items on the radio, and in 1955 a Father Christmas stamp was issued. After that date celebrations for Father Christmas started to be held regularly. The first Father Christmas symposium ever was held in Antalya between 5-7 December 1983. This is now held annually and is attended by religious and scientific people from all over the world. At these symposia and in keeping with Anatolias St. Nicholas' love of humanity, a call is made to people of different religions and beliefs for peace, friendship and brotherhood.

KAS

ANTIPHELLOS

Today's Kas is a coastal city of the Lycians. "Phellos" is the Greek word for "stony place" and this name is very well suited to Kas. Its well preserved rock tombs and theater are well worth seeing. Kas today is a small and charming coastal resort.

KALKAN-PATARA

PATARA

At about 10 km beyond Kalkan on the Kalkan-Fethiye highway you turn south and continue 10km along the road to Patara. The painted ceramics found in the acropolis prove that the city existed in the 5th century B.C. Patara opened its doors to Alexander the Great, thereby earning the status of an important harbour city, in addition to having been the birthplace of St. Nicholas. The triple gateway through which one enters Patara is thought to have been built in 100 A.D. One of its most important edifices is its theatre which is now buried in the sand.

XANTHOS (KINIK)

This is the oldest and largest city of the mountain province of Lycia, settled in the valley of the Xanthos river. Until the Persian invasion it was an independent state. When the people of Xanthos,who had bravely tried to defend their city, realized that they could not repulse the invasion, they first killed their womand committed mass suicide by throwing themselves into the flames. About 80 surviving families and people who immigrated there rebuilt the city, but a fire which broke out about 100 years later razed it to the ground. In spite of this, the city was again rebuilt and, as a result of establishing good relations with the west, was considered as an important centre. However, Xanthos again metwith an unfortunateend. As a result of resisting the taxes the Athenians wanted to impose on them in 429 B.C., the city was largely destroyed and the inhabitants were drawn into a war. And thus Xanthos became "a city of disasters". The city itself consists of the Lycian acropolis and the parts remaining outside it, as well as the Roman acropolis. The most interesting building is the Roman theatre and the edifices of the theatre's western shoreline. of these the most famous is the Harpy Monument, which is a family sarcophagus situated on a rock. The original of this relief-decorated sarcophagus is in the British Museum, and avery good copy of this is in its place. Close by can be seen very interesting Lycian sarcophagi from the 6th and 1 st centuries B.C.

LETOON

To reach Letoon, you turn west one kilometer beyond the road from KINIK to Fethiye and continue 5 km. The history of Letoon is closely linked with that of Xanthos. It is known to have been one of the most important religious centers of the Lycian region. Due to the rising water level, archeological digs have been suspended. The remains unearthed indicate they belong to the period between the 7th century B.C. and the 6th century A.D. The most important edifice is the Greek style theater which has been preserved until our day.

AKSU

PERGE

This city was built 18 km east of Antalya between the Duden and Aksu streams. This is reached along the Antalya-Alanya highway, turning north at Aksu, arriving at Perge 2 km. further on. As it was not settled on the coast, it was not subjected to raids by pirates and therefore continued its progress without interruption. It was settled in 1200 B.C. In 223 B.C. Perge, like Side, reached an agreement with Alexander and thus did not go to war or suffer the usual ravages. It lived through the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine epochs. Its 15,000 spectator theater was built in the 2nd century A.D., and the nearby stadium could hold 12,000 people. With the exception of the Aphrodisias stadium, it is the best preserved in Anatolia. There are 30 rooms, believed to have been used as shops, underneath the stadium seats. A great many statues and other valuable items have been unearthed in recent digs, of which many are in the Antalya Museum. Some of the things forth seeing in Perge are the gates, agora, nymphaeum, the pillared streets, sarcophagi, basilica and acropolis

SERIK-BELEK

SILLYON

About 35 km along the Antalya-Alanya highway, you turn north and continue 8 km. until Silyon is reached. It was built on an ellipse-shaped table-like plateau rising above the flat plain. Due to its location the surrounding areas can easily be seen, and in fact the view stretches as far as the Mediterranean. It was settled in the 4th century B.C. and it lived not only through the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, but was also used by the Seljuks who also added buildings and increased its wealth. Some of its interesting sights are the stadium, gymnasium, turrets, Seljuk mosque, the theater of which the proscenium is buried under rocks, and the sports arena.

ASPENDOS

After passing Serik on the Antalya-Alanya highway, you turn north and continue for 4 km. It dates back to the 5th century B.C. The theater which was built in the 2nd century A.D. was periodically repaired by the Seljuks who used it as a caravansary. It is one of the best preserved theaters to be found today. Allowing o.50 m. per seat, the theater holds 7000 spectators, with an additional 500 in the orchestra. Today it is used for concerts, festivals and grease wrestling events. In addition to the theater the agora, basilica, nymphaeum and 15 km. of aquaducts are to be seen.

GAZIPASA

ANTIOCHEIA AD CRAGUM

It is located at the east of Gazipasha, in a village called " South Village ( Guney Koy ) " which is 18 km away from the town. The area has taken it's name from the King of Kommagene, 4th Antiochus. The ruins of the city gathered at three hills. On the first hill, from west to east, located a castle from the Middle Ages, on the second hill there is a pillared avenue, agora, bath, victory arch and a church, last, there is a Necropol Area on the third hill. The buildings of the old city dated to the Roman and Byzantium periods. At the Necropol of the city, the monumental graves with cradle vaults and precourtyards, preserved well. The temple at the area should be build for the God " Zeus Lamotes ".

ADANDA - LAMOS

The ancient city located at the 15 km.s of the northeast of Gazipasha. It is build at the peak of a mountain, at the 2 km. east of village Adanda. The city is surrounded with city walls. There is a big tower at the east entrance gate of the city. We can mention two other temples and a fountain carved to the rocks, at the other ruins of the city. Also at the Necropol of the city there are very important one-piece-carved-stone sargophacuses. Possibly the city was the capital of the area called " Lamotis ". The ruins reflects the culture and the art of Clickya. The peak period of the city should be during the reign of Gallianus.

NEPHELIS

It is located 12 km away from Gazipasha, in a village called " Banana Village ( Muz Koy ) ". South of the city surrounded with sea and rocky hills. The old city made of an Acropol and the ruins from east to west. The buildings of the ruins are a castle from Middle Ages, Odeon temple, waterways and a Necropol which were dated to Roman and Byzantium periods. The inscriptions from the city are displayed at Alanya Museum. It is consisted of eulogies for the Byzantium Emperor Xenon. Also we could see the name of Mayor Clickya Cornelius Dexter, in an another inscription. This inscription has been written from the people of the city and the Council of State. The small Odeon in the city represents the cultural activities of those times.

SELINUS

The old city located very near to Gazipasha. The Acropol has been build on a hill. Also there is a Middle Ages castle. The walls and the towers of the castle well preserved. There are a church and a cistern installed in the Acropol. The ruins of the city also consists of baths, an agora, Kiosk, water canals and arches, and a Necropol. Selinus is one of the most important cities of the mountainous area of Clickya. The city called with the name of the Roman Emperor Traian temporarily, which has been died in this city.