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Antalya: Sights, Places of Interest & Links |
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Background |
The city was known in antiquity as Attaleia after its founder King Attalos II and was the naval base of the Pergamum Kingdom. We know that it was visited by St. Paul by way of Perge in 46 A.D., that it was an important trading center in the 2nd century A.D. and that the Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 A.D. was commemorated with new monuments. After Antalya was annexed to Turkish held lands by the Seljuk Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev in 1207, the area witnessed another great period of development and was adorned with works of Seljuk architecture, some of which can still be seen today. |
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1 Day
Tour |
If you have 1 day, the list of remains still standing in Antalya are its city walls, Hadrian's Gate, the Yivli (flkuted) Minaret, Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret) and Kaleici Harbor. |
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2 Day
Tour |
If you have 2 days, spend the first day as
suggested above. On the second day, visit the Antalya Archeological
Museum. This is one of the best museums in Europe. It is fun for adults
and children alike. In
the morning we visit the Antalya Archeology Museum, which, from
my point of view, is just the right size. It doesn't overwhelm and wear
you out. TIP: While you are at the museum, check to see if there are any events being held at the Aspendos ancient theater. You can buy the tickets there. There are concerts, operas, ballets and other events all summer. Don't miss it - it's a once in a lifetime event!!! |
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The city walls are horseshoe-shaped
fortifications that gird the harbor and the ancient city surrounding it.
They were built on the second century A.D. Hellenistic foundations and
underwent alterations in nearly every subsequent period. Of the wall's
entry gates only one has survived to the present.
The clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's
fortifications. |
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Hadrian's Gate.
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.
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The Yivli (fluted) Minaret and the building complex around it, were
constructed during the 13th century reflecting Anatolian Seljuk-Turkish
architecture at its best. This minaret, the finest Seljuk monument in Antalya, has become its symbol. It was commissioned during the reign of
Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat, who reigned between 1219-1238. |
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Another work popularly known as Kesik
Minare (Truncated Minaret), is especially interesting, because its
building history stretches all the way from Roman to Ottoman times. It
was originally the site of a temple and then a church was built, reusing
the masonry in the 6th century A.D., and finally converted to a mosque
by the addition of a minaret by Beyazid I. Following the severe damage
it suffered from a major fire, in the 9th century, it was later abandoned. |
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Set amid amazing scenery of sharp
contrasts, Kaleici is a picturesque old quarter with narrow
winding streets and old wooden houses encircled by the ancient city
walls.
Now the center of Antalya's tourism, its restoration was completed in 1982 and was awarded
the French "Pomme d'Or".
The award-winning Antalya
Kaleici Marina is considered one of the loveliest marinas in Turkey with
its many souvenir shops, friendly cafes and restaurants as well as yacht
moorings and services. The old city walls, lit up at night, lend an
atmosphere of serenity and timelessness.
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The Archeological Museum,
with artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times, offers a
glimpse of the area's rich history. Two-colored ceramics dated at 5400 -
8500 B.C. are worth seeing.
Exhibits include artifacts
collected from local, south coast, and mountain excavations dating from
prehistory, including the Lower Paleolithic through the Late Bronze
Ages. The collection from the 12th century BC through the classic
periods, together with ethnographic displays, enhances our understanding
of Turkey's complex history. address: In the town center on the E - 5 high-way, Seyhan Cad. phone: (242) 238 56 88 hours: Open daily between 8am - 5pm. Closed Mondays. admission: about $10 USD |
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For Sights along the
Coast (Ephesus to Antalya)
Click
Here |
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This page
was last updated on |
If you have any comments or if you have any full or half day trips you
would like to add, we would be very happy to share them with the
world! |
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