From Roman to Ottoman
If you love history and mix-cultured mosaics, you're in a right place!
Table of Contents:
1. Kaleici and Hadrian’s Gate
2. Historical Aspendos
3. Termessos: A Place of Intrigue
4. Hıdırlık Tower
5. Olympos Ruined City
6. Old Side and the Apollo Temple
7. Alanya Castle and Red Tower
8. Perge Ancient City
9. Myra Ancient Ruins / Old tomb monuments
10. Yivli Minare (Antalya Ulu Camii)
Hadrianus Gate is one of the most important and best-preserved historical artifacts of Antalya. The gate was built in 130 AD for Emperor Hadrian's visit to Antalya. It is called Three Gates due to its structure, which is composed of three arched grand entrance gates. It is located on Atatürk Avenue, right above the city walls and opens to Kaleiçi. Apart from the columns built for aesthetic purposes, the entire gate is made of marble. There are towers on both sides of the structure, decorated with dazzling carvings and embossments. These towers date back to the Hadrianic period. The top sections were built during the Seljuk period. Therefore, this gate bears the marks of both Roman and Seljuk civilizations. It is a beautiful work of art that must be seen.
The first period of the Aspendos Ancient Theatre dates back to the reign of Marcus Aurelius, between 161 and 180 AD. Latin and Ancient Greek inscriptions on both sides of the skene reveal that the theater was built by the brothers Acurtius Crispinus and Acurtius Auspicatus Titinnianus, following the will of their father, Acurtius Crispinus. This theater was dedicated to the city gods and the imperial family. The architect of this structure was Zenon. An inscription reads, "People of Aspendos, thanks to architect Zenon who built this building and garden next to the stadium." This suggests that a statue of Zenon may have stood here. In the 3rd century AD, during the Roman period, entrances below the orchestra were designed to accommodate wild animal spectacles, and the orchestra was enclosed by a parapet.
After this region was conquered by Seljuk Turks, the theatre was converted into a protected palace and decorated with painted stuccos during Alaaddin Keykubat I period (1221-1237). The main entrance, crown gate, side and back gaps were closed with walls. It's possible to see colourful plasters of Seljuk period on the two sides of the stage building.
The theatre is positioned inside a hill. Diameter of the orchestra divided from sitting stairs with a railing is approximately 24 meters. There are 39 sitting stairs and divided into two with diasoma. Atatürk visited this place in 1930 and ordered to start the restoration work. Restoration of the theatre was completed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2015. The theatre used in many events especially in Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival.
This ancient city is located in Güllük Mountain National Park, 1150 meters southwest of Güllük Mountain. This well-preserved city was founded by an ancient Anatolian people known as the Solim. The Solim were renowned for their warrior identity and were the only society that was not conquered by Alexander the Great. They are mentioned in the works of Herodotus and Homer's Iliad.
The oldest artifacts in Termessos are rock carvings from the Hellenistic period. Other artifacts date back to the Roman period. It is believed that the people of Termessos abandoned the city as Roman influence waned. The city developed into a lower city, an upper city center, and a necropolis. It experienced its most prosperous period during Roman times.
The city's most impressive structures include its walls, towers, the King's Road, the Hadrian Gate, the gymnasium, the agora, the theater, the odeon, richly carved tombs, and intricate water supply and drainage systems.
It is believed that Hıdırlık Tower was built in the 1st century AD. When it was first constructed, it was a tomb located outside the city walls. However, as the city expanded over time, Hıdırlık Tower became integrated into the city walls. It served as a defensive tower until the 19th century. Up until the 1950s, the tower was used by the Municipality of Antalya for material storage. Today, the tower occasionally hosts cultural and artistic events. It is closed to the public for visits, except during these events. However, it can be viewed from the outside.
This ancient city in Kumluca province is named after the 2,375-meter-high Tahtalı Mountain to the north. During the Lycian period, it was the second most important harbor on the southern Mediterranean coast, after Phaselis. Olympos Ancient City, located in the picturesque Bey Mountains Coastal National Park, was one of the six cities with three voting rights in the Lycian League.
The exact founding date of Olympos as a harbor city is unknown, but it is believed to have been established between the 3rd and 4th centuries BC. Zenicetes, one of the most notorious pirates of the time, used the city as his base. After the Roman conquest, Olympos continued to be targeted by pirates, particularly after the 3rd century AD. These frequent attacks ultimately led to the city's decline and loss of importance.
The city was rebuilt by the Genoese, Venetians, and the Knights of Rhodes during the 11th century and was used as a trade harbor during the Crusades. Later, in the 15th century, the city was abandoned as the Ottoman navy gained dominance in the Mediterranean.
Most of the city's ruins are now covered by trees and vegetation, and these ruins date back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The riverbed that once divided the city into two parts in ancient times was incorporated into a canal, with both sides used as docks and connected by a bridge. One abutment of this bridge still stands today.
A sarcophagus carved into a rock near the river mouth on the way to the beach is known as the "Captain Eudomus Sarcophagus." The ship embossed on its side and the poetic dedication to the captain make this artifact a significant historical relic.
It's among the most popular holiday destinations for young people. It's possible to see many young people accommodation and having fun in nearby tree houses and camping areas. Entrance to the beach and archaeological site has a fee and it's possible to use Museum Card.
Apollon Temple, which was built in the 2nd century AD, is one of the buildings worth seeing in Side Ancient City, Antalya. Apollon is among the main Gods of Side. Oracle God Apollon was also the God of medicine, light, reality, beauty, art, poetry, and sun. He is the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis.
During the Byzantine Period, some of the columns in the temple were used in basilica construction. In those periods, Apollon temples were used as oracle temples. People visited these temples and asked prophets to get news from the future. Apollon Temple is at the entrance of the port. Thus, the purpose was to scare the enemies by showing that the city is protected by Apollon and Athena (there is an Athena Temple in the same place as well). Today, it's possible to see five columns, a pediment, and a beam.
Alanya Castle, one of the iconic landmarks of Alanya, dates back to the Hellenistic Period. The castle was ruled by the Hittites between 2000 and 708 BC and by the Persians between 546 and 336 BC. Throughout history, the city has been known by various names: "Coracesium," meaning "bulged place" or "untouched lands," during ancient times; "Calonoros," meaning "beautiful mountain," during the Byzantine period; and "Alaiye," meaning "the city of Alaeddin," during the Seljuk period. In 1931, due to a telegram error, the name was changed to Alanya.
Perched high on a hill, the castle enjoys a natural defensive position. Built on a 250-meter-high peninsula, it stretches for approximately 6 kilometers. The castle's origins lie in the Hellenistic Period, with additions made during the Roman era. The current form of the castle resulted from extensive construction activities undertaken after the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I conquered the city. The city walls were planned and built to encompass the Ehmedek, Inner Castle, Adam Atacağı, Cilvarda Cape, Arab Dervish and Esat Bastions, extending to the Tophane, harbor, and Kızılkule.
Alanya Castle has been a major Mediterranean port since the Byzantine period, and its importance in trade and military affairs increased significantly after its conquest by Alaaddin Keykubat. Following the decline of the Seljuk Sultanate, the city was ruled successively by the Kingdom of Cyprus, the Karamanids, and the Mamluks. Finally, when Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the city, Alanya became part of the Ottoman Empire.
This ancient city is located in Aksu province, 18 kilometers from Antalya city center. It was the capital of the Pamphylia region and is included on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Perge is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in all of Anatolia.
The city's urban plan is centered around two main streets, one running east-west and the other north-south. A well-preserved theater with a capacity of 15,000 spectators features a two-story stage building that was elaborately decorated and constructed in the 2nd century AD. Artifacts discovered at the site are displayed in the Antalya Museum.Beyond its urban layout, Perge is renowned for its unique statues and intricate sculptures.
Also, Perge is where St. Paul, among the most important figures of Christianity have arrived for missionary activities. Since Perge and nearby Aksu River are in the Bible, this place is considered as among the Holy venues in Christianity.
Myra, one of the six largest cities of the Lycian Union, takes its name from the Myros River (Demre River) and means "the place of the great mother goddess." Myra was involved in trade by connecting to the harbors of Andriake via the Myros River. There has been a settlement in this city since the 5th century BC. The most important artifacts that have survived from ancient Myra are Lycian period rock tombs, a Roman theater, and the Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus).
Myra experienced its golden age in the 2nd century AD when it served as the metropolis (capital city) of the Lycian Union. During the Byzantine period, the city held both religious and administrative significance. However, starting from the 7th century, Myra's importance declined due to earthquakes, floods, alluvial deposits carried by the Demre River, and Arab raids. By the 12th century, it had become a mere village.
Main Goddess of the city was Artemis and she was represented on the coins in the form of Kybele, the oldest Goddess of Anatolia. Additionally, since Myra is among the cities visited by Saint Paul who is one of the most important figures of Christian history, this city has a separate meaning for the Christian world.
Yivli Minare (Grooved Minaret Mosque) in Antalya was built by Anatolian Seljuk Ruler Alaaddin Keykubat I in 1230 and this mosque attracts attention with its unique grooved form in Anatolian Turkish architecture. Also, this mosque is accepted to be the oldest example of a multi-domed mosque type in Anatolia with six domed prayer space.Grooved Minaret is the main work ofGrooved Minaret Social Complex. This minaret has become the symbol of Antalya.Grooved Minaret attracts attention with its unique Anatolian Turkish Architecture.
It's the oldest example of a multi-domed mosque type in Anatolia with six domed prayer space. The plinth of minaret is from face stone. The main body is built from brick and turquoise glazed ceramics. It's 38 meters long and it could be reached to the top with 90 stairs.
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