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Antalya

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 abut the ancient city
walls. Lately, many foreigners have bought (and continue to buy) property in and around Antalya for
their holidays or for the retirement. It became a popular area especially for the German and Russian
nationals. During the winter months its population is around 2 million, but in the summer times it
doubles.

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 Seljukstone 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 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 Antalya Aquarium is one of the family attractions in the city and is located near Konyaalti Beach. It
has the world's biggest tunnel and many species of fish from around the world.
On March 29th, 2006, Total Solar Eclipse has been seen in Antalya at 13:54pm local time.

Nature

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 Dden Waterfalls, 14 km northeast of Antalya. On the way to Lara Beach, the
Lower Dden 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 Nilfer 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 Taurus 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 Tnektepe 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 Dzlercami Park, north of Antalya are under a conservation
program. On the way you can stop at the astonishing 115 meter deep Gver 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 Gllk Dagi, a national park northwest of Antalya, is
perched on a 1050 meter high plateau on the west face of Gllk 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
historical sites around
Antalya
are: Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos, Selge, Phaselis, Olympos, Chimeira, Kekova, Simena, Patar
a, Xantos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos, Kas, Kalkan, Aperlai, Isinda, Myra and Sillyon.

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