ANTALYA
Area : 20.815 km²
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
Antalya Museum : 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
Side Museum
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
100x100 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
Köprülü Canyon National 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.
Contact Information
Provincial Directorate: (+90 242) 343 27 60
Kekova : It is between Kaş-Demre. It is an
ancient submerged city 500 m far from the
Üçağız Village in Mediterranean.
Patara : It is on Kalkan-Fethiye road,nearly
10 km before Kalkan and is located at the
south.. The colorful ceramics in the center of
the city reveal that the history of the city
reaches back to 5 B.C. Besides its being the
birth place of St. Nicholas,it was one of the
most important seaports during the times of
Alexander the Great. Three gated city
walls,one of which leads to Patara, was
constructed by the governor Modestus in 110 .
One of the most important remnants is the
theater currently buried under the crystal
clear sandy beaches of Patara.
Xanthos : Founded on the Xanthos river
basin,Xanthos is the biggest and the most
ancient city of Lycia. Having being remained
independent till the invasions of the Persians
in 4292 B.C,Xanthos tried hard to defend
against the invasions;however, upon realizing
the remote victory the people of Xanthos first
murdered their women then commited suicide as
a whole.Afterwards 80 family imigrating to the
region refounded the city but approximately
100 years later the city was totally destroyed
by a great fire. Reesatblished city
thenceforth strengtened its connection with
west and became an important center.Still the
city can not be saved from misfortune. Upon
resisting to the taxes of the Roman Brutus,
the city was ruined and the people were
dragged into war. And Xanthos became the city
of catastrophe.
The city was founded around center of Lycia
and outside it were the remnants of Roman city
center. Roman theater and the findings at the
west side of the theater still attracts the
visitors. Harpy memorial on the rocks is one
of the most important traces. Only the
duplication of the work of art, the original
of which is on exhibit in British Museum in
England,can be seen in the region.
Kaş (Antiphellos) : One of the Lycian
towns,Kaş took its name from the Greek word "Phellos"
meaning stony place. With its well preserved
rock tombs and theater, Kaş is a wonderful
town on the Mediterranean coast.
Kas was one of the most important cities of
Lycia, and is now a small resort with great
historical interest. Its quaint town centre
has a rocky waterfront, with good beaches
nearby. There are watersports available in the
area, like canoeing,jet-skiing, diving and
paragliding, plus cavern diving, which uses
technical equipment to explore the deep and
dark caverns. For those who love travelling on
the water, the Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voyage)
tours, and other excursions on boats, can be
madeto the surrounding islands.
History
Habesos is the earliest known name of the
ancient city, as proved from archaeological
findings. But the name Antiphellos is far more
familiar, and this was the harbour of ancient
Phellos. Excavations here have revealed a
settlement dating back to the4th century BC,
possibly earlier, although it reached its
height of importance during the Roman and
Byzantine periods, when it was a centre for
Bishops. It had also been significant in the
world of sea-faring commerce, and during the
Roman era wasespecially famous for its
exported sponges. It was attacked by Arabs,
then added to the territory of the Anatolian
Seljuks, and took the name Andifli. After the
destruction of the Anatolian Seljuk state, the
Ottomans added it to its lands. The name Kas
means 'eyebrow', or 'something
curved',describing the shape of the town under
the backdrop of 500m high cliffs behind.
Climate
Summers are hot and dry in Kas, quite typical
of Mediterranean region, and can reach around
35 degrees during the day. Winters are warm
during the day although can get cool at night,
and can drop below 10 degrees.
How to Get
By Road
Kas is accessible from Fethiye, or from
Antalya. If coming from Ankara, it is much
quicker to take the route through Elmali and
Gombe, rather than the Antalya coastal route.
There are services to Istanbul (12 hours),
Antalya (4 hours), and Fethiye(2½ hours), and
dolmuses make the shorter journeys to the
beaches of Patara, Kalkan and Kapitas. The bus
station is on the north side of town.
Bus Station Tel: (0242) 836 1020
By Air
Kas is 192 km from Antalya Airport and 160 km
from Dalaman Airport.
Antalya Airport Tel: (0242) 330 30 30 - 330 36
00.
Dalaman Airport Tel: (0242) 792 5291
Where to Visit
Gömbe
An ideal place to escape the summer heat is
Gombe, 60km north of Kas, in the cool plateau
of the Akdag mountain range. The
forest-covered route with pine and cedar trees
almost conceal the village, famous for its
