Antalya,
Turkey's principal holiday resort in the Mediterranean region (
ancient Pamphylia), is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards, a prize-winning
marina on the Mediterranean.
In the picturesque old quarter, Kaleici, narrow winding streets and old wooden houses about the
ancient city walls.
Since its founding in the second century B.C. by Attalus II, a king of
Pergamon, who named the city Attaleai after himself,
Antalya has been continuously inhabited.
The
Romans,
Byzantines and Seljuks in turn occupied the city before it came under
Ottoman rule.
The elegant fluted minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque in the center of the city built by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century has become the
Antalya's symbol.
The Karatay Medrese (theological college) in the Kaleici district, from the same period, exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carvings.
The two most important
Ottoman mosques in the city are the 16th century Murat Pasa Mosque, remarkable for its tile decoration, the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque.
Neighboring the
marina, the attractive late 19th century Iskele Mosque is built of cut stone and set on four pillars over a natural spring.
The Hidirlik Kulesi (tower) was probably originally constructed as a lighthouse in the second century.
Today a
church, the Kesik Minaret Mosque attests to the city's long history in its succession of
Roman,
Byzantine, Seljuk and
Ottoman renovations.
When Emperor
Hadrian visited
Antalya in 130 A.D. a beautifully decorated three arched gate was built into the city walls in his honor.
Near the
marina the two towers flanking the gate and other sections of the walls still stand. The clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's fortifications.
The region around
Antalya offers sights of astonishing natural beauty as well as awesome historical remains.
You can walk behind the cascade, a thrilling experience, at the Upper Duden Waterfalls, 14 km northeast of
Antalya.
On the way to Lara
Beach, the Lower Duden Waterfalls plunge straight into the sea.
The nearby rest area offers an excellent view of the falls; the view is even more spectacular from the sea. Kursunlu Waterfalls and Nilufer Lake, both 18 km from
Antalya are two more places of superb natural beauty.
The sandy Lara
Beach lies about 12 km to the east.
Closer to
Antalya, but to the west, the long, pebbled Konyaalti
Beach offers a view of the breathtaking mountain range.
A little further the Bey Dagi (
Olympos) National Park and Topcam
Beach provide more splendid vistas.
There are camping grounds at the north end of the park should you decide to linger amid the natural beauty. For a panoramic view of the area, drive to the holiday complex on top of the Tunektepe Hill.
Saklikent, 50 km from
Antalya is an ideal winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an altitude of 1750-1900 meters.
In March and April you can ski in the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at
Antalya's
marina and sunbath, swim or wind surf in the afternoon.
The wildlife (deer and mountain goat) in Duzlercami Park, north of
Antalya are under a conservation program.
On the way you can stop at the astonishing 115 meter deep Guver Canyon.
In the eastern side of Can Mountain, 30 km from
Antalya, the Karain Cave, which dates from the Paleolithic Age (50,000 B.C.) is the site of the oldest settlement in
Turkey.
Although the little museum at the entrance displays some of the finds, most of the artifacts are housed in various museums throughout
Turkey.
The
ruins of the city of Termessos, set inside Gulluk Dagi, a national park northwest of
Antalya, is perched on a 1050 meter high plateau on the west face of Gulluk Mountain (Solymos). A nature and wildlife museum is found at the park entrance.
The Archaeological Museum, with remains from the Paleolithic Age to
Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history.
Other interesting sites in
Turkey are:
Antalya,
Kemer,
Phaselis,
Olympos,
Demre,
Kekova,
Simena,
Aperlai,
Kas,
Kalkan,
Patara,
Xanthos,
Letoon,
Tlos,
Pinara,
Oludeniz,
Fethiye,
Gocek,
Knidos,
Caunos,
Ekincik,
Gokova,
Marmaris and
Bodrum.
