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TERMESSOS;
In
the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, is located on a natural plateau
flanked by two mountains at 1040 meters above from the sea level.
It is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in south Turkey
and the only town that Alexander the Great never managed to conquer.
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During the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C., Termessos was at the peak
of its glory and boasted as many as 150,000 inhabitans; most of
its buildings also date back to this period. Later on, it was severely
damaged by an eartquake and gradually become less populated until
it was completed deserted in the 7th century A.D. Of all the ruins,
the most impressive by far is the Theatre; hewn out of the rock,
it offers a view as far as Antalya. An outstanding feature of Termessos
remains the large number of tombs, all around the slopes to the
east, west and south.
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the foot of Mt.Tahtali (Olympos),15 km south of Kemer, the three harbors
of PHASELİS
were once a major commercial center. The ruins of aqueducts, agoras,
baths, a theater, Hadrian's Gate and an acropolis reveal the city's
historical importance. From the south harbor, look up at Mt. Tahtali
for a spectacular view. The sheltered sandy beaches make a superb
playground, and the waters are calm and safe for swimmers.
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The
ancient city of OLYMPOS is situated on the southern side of
Mt. Tahtali. Oleander and laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley,
which you can approach by land and sea. The play of light on the quiet
pools of water enhance the mosaics in the bath. A temple gate and
theater also remain from antiquity. The outer walls and towers around
the bay date from the Middle Ages. North of Olympos up from Cirali
Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where according to
mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse
Pegasus, slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera. Gas which seeps
from the earth burns brightly at night at this site, which the Byzantines
also considered a religious area. |
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| SİDE
is one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey. This was an ancient
harbour whose name meant “pomegranate”. Today, it is a pretty resort
toqn, very popular because of its ancient ruins, two sandy beaches,
a variety of shops and plentiful tourist accommodation. There are
numerous cafes and restaurats with a view of the sea, and the narrow
streets are lined with shops selling typical Turkich handicrafts including
handmade leather and magnificent gold jewellery. |
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The
magnificent theatre of the ancient city, built on colonnaded arches,
is the largest in the whole area. Next to the theatre is an agora
(Closed for restoration). The creamy-white columns of the Apollo Temple
make a striking contrast against the blue sea. The extensive Roman
bath, now a museum, houses one of Turkey’s finest archaeological collections.
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ARİASSOS
was founded in a narrow rocky valley in the Taurus mountains to the
north-west of Antalya. The earliest known coinage of Ariassos dates
to the first century B.C. ; these coins have the head of Zeus on the
obverse and on the reverse, a humped bull. Strabo mentions the city,
calling it Aarrossas; it is known in other sources as Areassos and
Ariassos. Apart from a few ruined Hellenistic period walls, all the
remains date to the Roman and Byzantine eras. The best preserved structure
is the city gate, which takes the shape of a tri-partite triumphal
arch, with the central arch higher and wider than the side arches.
The arches spring off stone socles. |
| PERGE,
is the best example of a complete Roman city in the Pamphylian plain.
It developed from a Hellenistic hilltop settlement to a proper Roman
city.
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| SELGE;
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Selge,
a Mountain City of Psidia, is located at about 950 m above sea level.
The best preserved structure is its theater. Other visiting sites
are City Walls, Towers, Water Cisterns, Stadium and Nekrepol. |
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ALANYA
CASTLE; It
takes 45 minute walk to climb up the castle.
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Don’t
miss to see Arap Evliyası which was built as a church in the 11th
century and then converted into a mosque; the Süleymaniye Mosque,
the Bedesten (market place) beside the mosque, resored and now used
as a restaurant,bar and hotel, Ehmendek where the commander of the
castle resided, little houses of Alanya remaining from the Seljuks
and the Ottomans, Akşebe Sultan Masjid and Tomb. |
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See
the 'Links' section
for additional information.
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