Population :
1.132.211 (1990)
Traffic Code : 07
Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the
area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun, sea, nature and
history combine to form a very popular resort, highlighted by some of the
cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. The 630km shoreline of the province is
liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbours, memorial tombs and beaches,
secluded coves and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible from the
city.
With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed
marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern
city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide
selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also
plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like
International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis
and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts
cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The
main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman
walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums.
Districts:
Akseki, Alanya, Elmali, Finike, Gazipasa, Gundogmus, Ibradi, Kale, Kas, Kemer,
Korkutali, Kumluca, Manavgat and Serik are all towns in the province of
Antalya.
Akseki
After Alanya, Akseki is the oldest district in the
province of Antalya, and has an appearance that befits its location in the
rugged Taurus mountains, in a forested and very rocky area. The history of
Akseki extends back to the Roman era, when it was known as Marla (Marulya), and
has been continually inhabited until the present day. The developments in the
tourism sector in the Antalya region in recent years have been seen in Akseki
as well. The area is well known for the snowdrop flower, and every years sees
local and foreign visitors coming every winter to see these flowers breaking
through the snow, as the first sign of spring.
In the Giden Gelmez Mountains, goats are protected and
limited hunting is available year-round with the purchase of a license. Another
spot frequented by visitors is the trout farming facilities in the villages of
Sinan hoca and Gumusdamla. The primary game in the area is mountain goat,
rabbit, bear and fox.
Other areas worth visiting are the Goktepe Highland,
Giden Gelmez Mountains, Cimi Highland, Irmak Valley and the 340-metre deep
Bucaklan Cave, which has only recently been discovered. Buildings of interest
are the Ulu Camii and medreses.
Elmali
The exact founding date of Elmali, which is located
within the borders of ancient Lycia, is unknown. Excavations to the east at
Karatas near the village of Semahoyuk, and to the west in the village of Beyler
indicate that the area has been inhabited seen the Bronze Age.
Throughout history it has suffered the rising and falling
fortune of the Lycian region, being ruled respectively by the Persian, Greek,
Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman empires.
Tumuluses There are several tumuluses in nearby villages.
The first is west of the city in the village of Mugren, on top of which sits a
small fortress dating back to the Roman era. Surface-level archaeological
research indicates that the area was inhabited in the Bronze Age by various
civilisations. Another village to the west, Semahoyuk, has a tumulus but due to
the fact that an Ottoman cemetery is located on top of it, no research has been
done. The third and largest tumulus is in Beyler, south of the city on the
Elmali – Kas road. Excavations conducted here show that the area has been
continuously inhabited from the Bronze Age right up to the present time. The
items unearthed in the excavations are exhibited in the Antalya Museum.
East of the city 6 km from the village of Elmali near the
village of Bayindir, there are several tumuluses side by side. Artifacts dating
back to the 7th century BC were unearthed during the excavations. Now on
display in a special section of the Antalya Museum, these findings represent a
cross-section of life during that era. A statuette of pure silver and two of
ivory bear witness to the fact that the art of sculpture in ancient Anatolia
had reached a level of some sophistication.
Memorial Tombs There are tombs in Karaburun and Kizilbel.
The walls of the King’s Tomb in Karaburun, on the Antalya – Elmali road, is
decorated with frescoes of scenes of hunting and war. The tomb in Kizilbel is
west of the city on the Elmali – Yuvayol road, and is a single room made of
limestone blocks.
Define Described as the Treasure of the Century, this was
discovered in 1984, just north of the Antalya – Elmali road between the King’s
Tomb and the village of Gokpinar. Consisting of 190 pieces of ancient silver
coins, the treasure was smuggled to America by antique treasure thieves. It is
still on display in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of a private
collection. The Athens Decadrachme, 14 pieces each worth US$600,000, is said to
be the world’s most valuable treasure find.
Mosques The most interesting mosques in the area include
Selcuklu Camii, Kutuk Camii, Sinan-i Ummi Camii, Omer Pasa Camii and medrese.
Korkuteli
Located 67 km from Antalya, Korkuteli is surrounded by
Antalya on the east, Burdur to the north, Mugla to the southwest and Elmali and
Kumluca to the south. The effects of the Mediterranean climate can be felt here
in this region of lakes but the further one goes inland, the more continental
the climate becomes with cold winters and hot summers.
3 km west of Korkuteli is the Alaaddin Mosque, only the
door of which is still standing. In the same area is the Seljuk religious
school which bears the name of its founde,r and was built by El Emin Sinaeddin
of the Hamidogullari dynasty in 1319.
Gundogmus
There are numerous ruins of ancient cities in the
district of Gundogmus, 182 km from Antalya. The important ruins are those of
Hagiasophia city, 7 km north of Guzel Bag Bucagi, but no excavations have been
conducted here. There are also the ruins of Asar at Sumene (7 km from the city
centre), Kese (2 km east of the village of Senir) and Gedfi (11 km southwest of
Gundogmus).
Other places to visit in the area include the Cem Pasa
Camii; the ruins on top of Sinek Mountain, 15 km east of the city centre
between Gundogmus and Pembelik; and the ruins of Kazayir at Tasagir, on the
Gundogmus – Antalya highway.
Gazipasa
Situated 180 km from Antalya, Gazipasa is a charming
little town with a beach 10 km long, beautiful forests and turquoise blue
coves. Iskele, the site of the Koru and Kahyalar beaches, is an important
breeding ground of the caretta caretta turtles. Mostly undeveloped up until the
present time, Gazipasa is on its way to being an attractive tourist centre with
accommodation, recreation facilities, an airport and yacht harbour still under
construction, as well as the natural and historical treasures of the area.
Antiocheia Ad Cragum 18 km east of Gazipasa, and within
the village of Guney, these ruins gets its name from the Commagene King
Antiochus IV, and are found on the three hills that stretch out towards the
sea. It has the ruins of a castle dating back to the Roman and Byzantine era, a
column-lined boulevard, agora, baths, victory arch, a church and the city
necropolis. The barrel-vaulted memorial tombs with their pre-entrance porticoes
are well preserved and reflect a style peculiar to the region.
Adanda (Lamos) This ancient city is located 15 km
northeast of Gazipasa, and was founded 2 km north of the present-day village of
Adanda, on top of a high and steep hill. It is a walled city with a large tower
south of the city gate, and among the ruins are a fountain carved into the
living rock and two temples. Other significant ruins are the tombs in the
necropolis made of single pieces of carved stone. These remains are a good
representation of the culture and art of the mountainous Cilician region.
Nephelis This ancient ruin can be reached by going
through the village of Muzkent 12 km out on the Gazipasa-Anamur road and taking
the gravel road south for about 5 km. The southern area is surrounded by the
sea and steep cliffs. The city consists of the acropolis and the remains of
dwellings spread out in an east-west fashion. The only standing structures date
back to the Roman and Byzantine periods and include a Medieval Castle, a
temple, a musical hall, irrigation system and the necropolis.
Selinus Located on the slopes southwest of Hacimusa Creek
by Gazipasa Beach, the ancient city of Selinus is one of the most important
cities in the mountainous Cilician region. On top of the hill is the acropolis
as well as the walls and towers of a medieval castle, which are fairly well
preserved. In the Acropolis, a church and cistern have survived the ravages of
time. The other buildings of Selinus are near the beach and on the slopes,
among which are the baths, agora, Islami Yapi (mansion), aqueducts and the
necropolis. Most of the bones in the Alanya Museum were brought from the
Necropolis and allow the workshop in the museum to exist.
Kumluca
Situated on the plane formed by the silt carried down
from the mountains by Alakir Creek and Gavur Brook, Kumluca is surrounded by
the towns of Finike and Elmali. In the upper reaches of Alakir Creek fed by the
springs coming from Onemli Mountains and the Beydaglar Mountains, there are
trout and striped mullet.
How to Get
By Road :
Antalya is easily accessed from most parts of the country, and the main bus
station (Yeni Garaj) is 4km north of the city centre. Major routes include
Istanbul (12 hours), Fethiye (8 hours), Izmir (9 hours) and Goreme (10 hours).
The best route from Istanbul and Ankara is through Afyon and Burdur. In
addition to the large buses and long-distance journeys, which leave from the
Sehirlerarasi Terminali, there are also dolmus services to places like Kas,
Alanya, Olympos and Side, from the Ilceler Terminali, although these are not
air-conditioned. Most bus companies have a free shuttle service from the bus
station into the city centre.
Bus station Tel:
(0242) 331 12 50 / 513 26 50
Fax: (0242)
331 11 81.
By Rail : The
nearest station is at Burdur.
By Air :
Antalya airport is 10km east of the city centre, and has direct flights from
Tel Aviv and Zurich. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and in
summer has eight daily direct flights from Istanbul and two from Ankara.
Airport Tel:
(0242) 330 32 33. 330 3600.
Fax: (0242)
330 31 30
By Boat : The
marina is one of the most important in Turkey, and the Kaleici certainly one of
the most photographed, lying at the foot of the old part of the city. Apart
from private yachts sailing in from all over the world, there are passenger
ferries to Girne (Northern Cyprus) and Rhodes.
Turkish Maritime
Lines
Tel: (0242) 241 11 20.
Fax: 247 50 95
Kaleici Marina
Tel: (0242) 243 47 50.
Fax: 243 47 54
Kusadasi Harbour
Tel: (0242) 259 12 00
Where to Visit
MUSEUM, HISTORICAL
AND CULTURAL ITEMS
AntalyaMuseum :
Founded in 1922 by Süleyman Fikri Erten and housed first in the Alaaddin Mosque
in the old city and then in the Yivli Minaret, the museum was later moved to
its current location. The museum consists of 12 exhibit rooms and its gardens
and open galleries. In these halls the history of Antalya is given in a
chronological and instructive fashion starting with the first humans and
continuing without interruption to the modern era.
Museum Tel:
(+90-242) 238 56 88-89
Kaleici :
Today the historical old city of Antalya known as Kaleici (the inner castle) is
surrounded by two walls, most of which have fallen down. The inner wall
encloses the harbour in a semicircle. As a result of restoration, Kaleici has
turned into a major tourist centre with guest-houses, bars, shops and
restaurants, and the Roman harbour has been turned into a modern, well-equipped
marina. As a result of the restoration work, the Ministry of Tourism was
awarded the Golden Apple (Tourism Oscar) in April 1984 by FIJET.
Antalya Museum :
Founded in 1922 by Suleyman Fikri Erten and housed first in the Alaaddin Mosque
in the old city and then in the Yivli Minaret, the museum was later moved to
its current location 2 km further east. The museum consists of 12 exhibition
rooms and its gardens and open galleries. In these halls the history of Antalya
is given in chronological order, starting with fossils, through the Stone and
Bronze ages, then through the classical and Hellenistic periods. There are
mosaics, the Gallery of the Gods, Phrygian ornaments, and a room with Christian
art that includes pieces of the skull and jawbone of St Nicholas, the original
Santa Claus. The ethnography section has a collection of Iznik ceramics,
household implements and weapons. Museum Tel +90-242) 238 56 88-89
The City Walls :
What remains today are a few bastions inside the city as well as Hadrian’s Gate
and its towers, the large tower facing the harbour and a few pieces of the
harbour walls. One of the walls surrounds the yacht harbour and the other the city,
almost like horseshoe. One of the remaining towers in the Castle Gate Square is
now used as a clock tower. There are four gates in the city walls, which form
entrances to the city.
Hadrian’s Gate :
The only city gate to have survived until the present day is the most
attractive of the Pamphylia: Uckapilar (Three Gates), also known as Hadrian’s
Gate, which is guarded by one tower on either side. Built to honour the emperor
Hadrian’s visit to the city in 130 AD, the whole gate, except for the columns,
is made of pure white marble. The reliefs and carvings are extraordinary.
Old Houses of
Antalya : With its hot summers and mild winters, the houses in Antalya are
designed to provide protection not against the chill of winter but against the
merciless heat of summer. The stone overhangs and courtyards help provide air
circulation. The houses in Antalya can be divided into three types based upon
the design of the main hall, which also serves as a storage area. The three
types are I halls, L halls and U halls. In the design of these houses, great
attention was paid to meeting the necessities of daily life, while also
providing harmony with nature and the environment.
Perge :
Situated 18 km east of Antalya, Perge is in the city limits of Aksu Bucagi.
Because of its location on the Cilicia – Pisidia road, it was a vital part of
the province of Pamphylia, and was founded around the same time as the other
cities in the area (7th century BC). It was an important city for Christians of
Perge who had worshipped the mother goddess Artemis. St. Paul and Barnabas
visited the city and wealthy benefactors like Magna Plancia had a number of
important memorials built here.
The first excavations began in 1946 by Istanbul
University and they resulted in many important discoveries: The theatre
consists of three main sections: the seating, orchestra and stage. It held
12,000 spectators, with 19 rows of seats on the lower section, 23 on the top
section, and a 52-metre stage.
The stadium measures 34 square metres, with 13 rows of
seats on top of the vaults. The eastern and western sides have 30 vaults each
and the northern side has 10. For every three vaults there is an entrance to
the stadium, and the other two were used as shops.
The Agora was the commercial and political centre of the
city, with shops surrounding the central courtyard, some of which have mosaics
on the floor. The agora measured 76 square metres, with a circular structure in
the centre with a diameter of 13.40 metres.
The colonnaded boulevard lies between the Hellenistic
Gate and the nympheum on the slopes of the acropolis. On both sides of the
street, 20 metres in width, are porticoes, some up to five meters high, behind
which are shops. The street is divided into two by a 2-metre wide water canal
running through the middle.
Other structures include the necropolis, city walls,
gymnasium, Roman Baths, memorial fountain and the Greek and Roman gates.
Termessos :
The ruined city of Termessos, lying 34km west of Antalya in a rugged mountain
valley, was founded by the Solymi people, from the interior of Anatolia. Among
the important remains are the 4200-seat theatre and the Roman stele that
Augustus had built at the beginning of the first century AD. The Odeon, the
covered meeting hall, has seating for 600 people. The five inter-connecting
underground cisterns were used for the storage of water and olive oil.
Other important remains include the Agora, with an open
western side and other sides colonnaded; the heroic memorial of Hereon on top
of a 6-metre high platform; the Corinthian-style temple, the Temple of Zeus,
the Lesser and Greater Temples of Artemis, the gymnasium and the watch towers.
In addition, there are more than 1200 rock tombs.
Olympos :
Lying between Kemer and Adrasan is the ancient harbour village of Cirali, the
ruins of Olympos and the site of the Chimaera. The history of Olympos dates
back to the 2nd century BC when it was an important Lycian city, although it
was empty by the 6th century. The Olympians worshipped Hephaestos (Vulcan) the
god of fire, probably connected to the eternal flame, or Chimaera, which still
emerges from the mountain. Known also as Yanartas (burning stone), the flame is
caused by the burning of natural gas emerging from the mountain. Apart from the
ruins, Olympos is well known for its simple treehouse camps, where most
tourists stay, and a natural environment thanks to forests and vineyards near
to a beautiful beach.
Ariassos : The
ancient remains of Ariassos, around 50km from Antalya, are located on a slope
and contain baths and rock tombs.
Phaselis : On
the coast, 60km south of Antalya, Phaselis was founded by the Rhodians in the
7th century BC, and was known as the most important seaport in Eastern Lycia.
On the west of the city is Hadrian’s Gate, with shops and baths on either side.
The city is accessible both by road and sea.
Limyra :
Believed to have been in existence since the 5th century, Limyra is still in
existence despite a massive earthquake in the mid 19th century although was
emptied in the 7th and 9th centuries after the Arab invasions. The city, which
is 11km south, composes of three section; the acropolis, areas of settlement,
and necropolis.
Arycanda : Excavations of this city reveal that
it probably existed from the 5th century BC, and controlled much of the
Arycanda valley. Having survived a destructive earthquake in 240 AD, the city
maintained its prominence until the 11th century, and its most important
structures still survive today.
Demre (Myra) :
Demre was one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilisation. 25km
west of Finike and 48km east of Kas, Demre was a place of settlement from the
5th century BC. The city was deserted in 9 A.D after the invasions of the
Arabs. Rock tombs, theatres and the Church of St. Nicholas (said to be the
original Santa Claus) are the most interesting sites in the town today.
Simena (Kale) :
Receiving its beauty from its history, sea and sun, Simena is accessible from
Ucagiz. The submerged city and the ancient remains at the opposite island of
Kekova island, make it a worthwhile trip. There are traces of Roman and other
civilisations in Simena, the history of which dates back to Lycian
civilisation. There is a small theatre carved into the rock, and Roman city
walls.
Side:
Manavgat-Side
Manavgat of Antalya city is a tourism center, where
history and nature are within eachother and all kinds of tourism activity can
be performed.
How to Get
Connection of Manavgat province with other centers is
only maintained by road. Bus companies within province are maintaining
transportation to other cities and provinces from Antalya at west and Alanya at
east. Bus companies in Manavgat and Side coaching station, are increasing their
bus voyages according to tourist number, which increases during summer months.
Alternative minibus voyages are organized from province to Manavgat Waterfalls,
Side, Sorgun like visitable places.
Coach Station Tel:
(90 242) 753 13 67
Where to Visit
Manavgat Waterfall
Waterfall, which are 3 km. north of Manavgat province,
have the same name with province. It composes a valuable to see panorama with
its high flow on a wide area although it falls from an amazing height. Just
near to the waterfalls, you can picnic in the nature and can eat fresh fish in
surrounding restaurants.
MUSEUMS
SideMuseum
Hamam of the antic agora, remaining from 5th and 6th
century A. D., against the agora, which belongs to Roman Period, is restored on
1960 / 61, and turned into a museum.
Most of the pieces of art exhibited within the Museum,
are the findings revealed during the excavations performed between 1947 and
1967 in Side antic city by Prof. Dr. Arif Müfid Mansel. From Hellenistic, Roman
and Byzantium Period; inscriptions, gun relieves, Statues, torsos, tombs,
portraits, ostotexes, amphorae, altars, tomb stalls, column heads and column
pedestals, which are the copies of Greek originals, built in Roman Period, are
being exhibited.
ANTIQUE CITIES
Side
Side, which is 7 km. away from Manavgat, is an ancient
settlement center. Side, which is mentioned by historians as founded on 1405 A.
D., had met with the reigns of Lydian, Persian, Alexander The Great’s,
Antiogonous’s, Ptolemaioses, respectively beginning from the second half of
VIth century A. D. After 215 A. D., The city, which is improved under
supervision of Syrian Kingdom, and turned into a science and cultural center,
had left to Bergama Kingdom on A. D. with Apameia peace, then had protected its
independence with Eastern Pamphilya region, and reached to a great richness and
prosperity with a huge commercial fleet.
It entered under Byzantium reign after Roman reign after
78 B. C. Side, which was a Bishop center during Vth and VIth centuries, had
lived its greatest times during these years.
Main gate of the city, which has a unique labor, is
between two towers. There are two main streets in Side province. These streets
are samples of columned streets of Ancient Age. After passing city gate, flat
stones adorned area is the starting point of this street. There are columned
porticos beside both sides of these streets, and shops behind them.
There is a “Nymphaeum”, biggest historical fountain of
Anatolia, against city gate, outside ramparts. A wide pool place is below this
foundation. You can reach to a monumental structure, passing through a street
after theater. This building with dimensions of 100×100 m., is an agora. Agora,
which is the Bazaar area of the city, is surrounded by porticos and there are shops
at three sides of it. There is a Gymnasium, surrounded by porticos and composed
of three halls, on the street, south side of the Agora. In the main street at
North – south direction, there is an arched structure, constructed during Roman
Period. Importance of Side city’s theater, in connection with architecture, is
its construction on arched places instead of a slope of a hill like other roman
theaters.
Theater, which is composed of three divisions, cavea,
orchestra and scene, is the biggest and most monumental one among Pamphylia
theaters, and has a capacity of 20.000 spectators.
There are wide cemeteries outside of Side’s ramparts, and
most important one of these, Western Necropolis, is 1,5 km. away. There are
also temples and aqueducts in Side. Most important ones of the temples are
Athena, Apollon and Men temples. Water of side is brought from Dumanlı source,
within Oymapınar Dam Lake, approximately 25 km. away. This water transportation
system is composed of ten aqueducts, of which some of them are two layered.
Biggest one is near to Oymapınar and has 40 specs.
A huge Roman Hamam is turned into a museum, and hosts for
most beautiful archeological pieces of art collection of the region. The city,
which is reigned by Seljukians during XIIIth century, Hamitoğulları and
Tekelioğulları during XIVth century, and finally Ottoman Empire during XVth
century, was not a settlement during this period.
Although most parts of the city ramparts, which are
holding structure and characteristics of Roman and Byzantium periods, has been
demolished today, nearly all of the ramparts at land side had remained.
Selge
You can reach to Selge, which is an ancient mountain
city, near to Köprü Stream (Eurymdon) at south slope of Toroslar, 35 km. north
of Serik, from a 14 km. stabilized road with steep bends after Köprülü Canyon
National Park. There are engraved rocks, coverin whole slope of the mountain
and similar to Fairy Chimneys at Göreme on the road passing from köprülü
canyon, which is very rich in connection to natural beauty.
City, which was belong to Psidia and then taken into Pampheylia
territories, had been reigned by Lydia, Persia, Alexander the Great and Roman
governments, respectively.
It is theater with 5 gates and 45 stairs at north is an
important monument. At the south of rock engraved theater, stadium and
gymnasium, and at west a Ionian type temple, whose ceiling is adorned with
eagle décor, draws the attention. At the south of the stadium, there are
Fountain and Agora. At the north of the ramparts lying southwest of the city,
Artemis and Zeus monuments as well as necropolis present.
Seleukia
This antique city, which is 23 km. northeast of Side, and
one hour away from Sinler Village by foot, is founded by Selevkos. There is a
very beautiful natural appearance of the antic city, which is especially
adorned with pine forests. From the city, which is placed on a hill, you can
see all plains and sea.
Two storey agora, basilica, cistern and sewerage system
can be mentioned as the sign of development of the city. Mosaics, which are
revealed during the city excavations, are exhibited in Antalya Museum today.
Etenna
Etenna, which is 29 km. north of Manavgat, is founded on
the hill, which is at the upper part of today’s Sırt Village. At the top of the
city, which is thought as a bishop center during Byzantium period, there is an
Acropolis, which is composed of terraces surrounded by ramparts, and at the
best preserved and highest slopes of the city. There is a Herron (a tomb for an
exalted person) at the south of the city. Basilica, agora, church, hamam and
cisterns are important historical ruins other than these.
INNS
Alara Inn
When you go 9 km. to the west after Manavgat, you can
reach to Alara Inn. It is constructed on 13th century, by Seljukians for
maintaining commercial connection between capital city of south coasts, Alanya
and Konya. This maintained the people, who were traveling with caravansaries
and merchants for spending the night and rest securely and comfortably.
High Plateaus
There are lots of plateaus on the Toros Mountains, which
is divided into two by Köprüçayı Valley.
Most important ones are Güğlenpınar and Beloluk Plateaus,
Avanos Beliği, in Tefekli Region, Gücer Plateau, Kesikbeli, Akçaalan Plateau,
Topalceviz, Alıç and Demre Plateaus, Dumanlı Plateau as well as at the feet of
the Bozburun Mountain İkiz Plateau. Most of the villagers are going to the
plateaus for summer.
NATIONAL and
NATURAL PARKS
KöprülüCanyonNational
Park
Location: The
park is in the mountains 49km northeast of Antalya.
Transportation:
Koprulu Kanyon National Park is in the Manavgat district of the Antalya
province. The road along the coast from Antalya to Manavgat then passes through
Tasagil and Beskonak.
Highlights:
The Kopru River is ideal for rafting and camping, with trees along one side of
the bank. It forms a valley between the villages of Bolasan and Beskonak, the
walls of which are as high as 100m, and at 14km is the longest canyon in
Turkey. Pine, cypress and cedar trees form the ecosystem of the area, and the
Mediterranean cypress forest, at 400 hectares wide, is the most significant
flora characteristic in the park. Hunting in the area has meant that the number
of species of animals has decreased, and now the most significant wildlife includes
deer, mountain goats, bears, foxes, wolves, rabbits and badgers. There are
plenty of trout in various branches of the River Kopru.
Apart from the natural beauty, other places of interest
include the ruins of the Roman city of Selge, 12km away. The site still has the
remains of a theatre, agora, temples of Zeus and Artemis, and cisterns. The
Oluk and Bugrum bridges connect the remains of the ancient stone road
connecting Selge to Pamphlia.
Facililities:
The River Kopru is an important area for watersports, and is ideal for rafting.
Camping is also popular along the shady riverbanks, and there is food
available.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Jeep – Safari
Tourism agencies in Antalya, Kemer, Side and Alanya are
organizing Jeep Safari tours to Toros mountains. Daily tours are beginning at
the early hours of the days, and continue till to the night with experiencing
Offroad emotion.
Horse Riding
There are wide areas for horse riding in some hotels.
There are English, Arab and Haflinger horses. Horse riding and jumping courses
are performed for hourly or daily visits. Meanwhile, tours through river or to
mountains are organized for minimum three days and maximum seven days.
Rafting
Köprüçay, Manavgat and Dragon rivers, as well as Cehennem
Stream are perfect routes for rafting.
Don’t Leave Without
Visiting Side Ruins and Museum,
Seeing Manavgat Waterfall,
Eating trout.
Aspendos: The
ancient city, 48km east of Antalya, is most famous for its theatre, probably
the best preserved in Asia Minor. It is still in use today, and stages the
annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival every summer. It was the scene of a
huge bloody battle between the Persians and the Greeks in 469 BC, and then ruled
by the Spartans 120 years later. The city became part of the Seleucid kingdom
after the death of Alexander the Great, and then became part of the Roman
province of Asia in 133 BC.
The famous theatre was built in the 2nd century AD, using
a Roman design, and it is still intact. Ataturk was responsible for much of the
restoration, who after visiting it declared that it should be used as a theatre
rather than simply a museum.
In addition to the theatre, there is an acropolis on a
hilltop, of which the nymphaeum and basilica are still fairly intact.
Opening hours:
Summer 08.00 – 19.00; Winter 08.00 – 17.30.
Serik
İlçesi-Aspendos
Antalya’s province, Serik is including an important
Pamfilya city, Aspendos. Aspendos Theater, which had reached today without
corruption, and has perfect acoustic, is hosting important artistic activities
today.
History
Serik city, is founded in two places, one at Belkıs
Village (Aspendos) and other at “Sillion” (Koçhisar Hill), near to today’s
Yanköy, of Bergama Kingdom on IInd century A. D. On 1817, due to being
settlement regions very distant, it was named as “Seyrek” initially, and it is
named as “Serik” on 1950.
Climate
Typical Mediterranean climate is reign in Serik, which is
surrounded by Antalya at west, Manavgat at east, Bucak and Sütlüce Provinces at
north, and Mediterranean sea at south. Summers are hot and dry and winters are
warm.
Where to Visit
Aspendos
Pamfilya city, Aspendos is 48 km. east of Antalya.
Aspendos can be reached with an asphalt separated from Antalya – Manavgat road.
City is 8 km. east of Serik Province, at the place where Köprü Stream reaches
plains from mountainous region, and is found on two hills, one is big and other
is small, and one of the richest cities. Its first name is Estvadiiy as can be
seen on the coins printed. Most powerful money in antic world is Aspendos
coins.
City, which is founded at the beginning of 7th century B.
C., had met with reigns of Persia, Antic Delos Marine Union, Alexander the
Great, Byzantium, Seljukians and Ottomans. Aspendos, which is famous as an
important harbor and commercial city with its position at the entrance of
Evrimedon Stream, is famous with corn, rose tree made souvenirs, wine, salt and
horse purchase. City is also famous with breeding the best horses of antic
world.
Pieces of arts in Aspendos, had separated into two as
Lower City Structures and Upper City Structures. There are agora, basilica
meeting structure, nymphaeum and exedra between UpperCity Structures. Theater,
stadion, hamams, aqueduct, temple and necropolis cn be mentioned between Lower
City Structures. It is known that Aspendos ramparts are constructed within
Hellenistic Period, and then repaired during Late Roman and Bizantium Periods.
Main structure that makes Aspendos artistic center, is
theater. Aspendos Theater is the most undamaged theater, which came today from
antic world. Architecture of the theater, which is established at the foot of a
small hill, is Zenon, son of Thedoros of Aspendos. Its capacity is 15.000
persons. Its most important characteristic is its great acoustic. Theater is
used as caravanserai during Seljukians period. Zig zag motifs on white desks,
seen on some parts of stage building are belonging to Seljukian Period. Cavea
part of the theater is semi circle planned, and is separated into two with a
wide diasoma. A wide gallery, composed of 59 arches, surrounds all along the
rear of upper cavea. Special lodges over the entrances at both sides of cavea
are reserved for emperor’s family and society priestesses. First one of the
sitting desks from orchestra belongs to senator, judge and foreign ambassadors,
and second one belongs to the notables of the city. Women were generally sit on
the upper desks, within part under gallery. Remaining parts is open for all
natives of the city. Stage is the most impressive part of the theater.
There are five doors, maintaining actors to step into
stage at the lower floor of two layered fasad, constructed from conglomerate
blocks. Small doors at orchestra level were belong to vestibules where wild
animals were closed. At the middle of the side architecture with columns at
upper floor a wine god Dionysos relief, who is the establisher and protector of
theaters, is decorated.
Sillion
It is founded at north east of Perge, 12 km. inside the
sea, at the middle of the plain, on a wide and shallow shaped steep and high
hill. Antic city is reached after a 5 km. of road when turned from Eski Yörük
Village, at 29th km. of Antalya – Alanya Highway.
The city, which is founded during IVth century B. C., and
was a Bishop center during Byzantium period had lived the Seljukian periods.
Slightly steep west side of the hill is surrounded with ramparts, remaining
from Hellenistic era. These ramparts are completed with towers, gates and roads
to city. Gate of the city is on the ramparts, at the west part of the hill.
When you go upside of the hill at north east side house ruins, streets, at
west, Selçuklu Mosque, Byzantium Church and cistern can be seen. At the south
west foot of the hill, there is a theater with 8.000 persons capacity and an
odeon adjacent to it.
Don’t Leave
Without
Seeing Aspendos,
Visiting Sillion
Antique City.
Keywords: Turkey, Antalya, Antalya Promotion Page, Antalya’nın
İngilizce Tanıtımı,
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