Antalya, Turkey
The city of Antalya stretches along the bay bearing its name, and is built at 39 meters altitude on a rocky coastline. One is immediately struck by the Taurus mountains rising to 3086 meters above this coastline, intersperesed with valleys of varying sizes. Land and sea everywhere meet the beaches stretching for miles or the steep cliffs. The Taurus mountains against the blue backdrop of the sky, the precipices and especially the caves close to the sea add another dimension to the beauty of the region.
Small and large streams emerging from the west side of the Taurus water the plains on their journey to the Mediterranean. This translucent running water, cascading into the sea at points along the coast, is another attractive sight.
The plant life of Antalya is extremely varied. Every kind of tropical plant can be found along the coast. Visitors to Antalya are struck by the size attained by the different species of cactus. When you reach the foothills of the Taurus, you will see they are covered in the typical Mediterranean maquis, while the forests are full of thriving oaks and pine trees. The coton and sesame plantations and citrus and banana groves of the plains have a beauty of their own.
In Antalya the four seasons only appear on the calendar, as there is no real winter here, so much so that when in 1985 for the first time in 60 years snow fell, it was front page news.
The summers are hot and rainless while the other months are warm and often rainy, with a mean annual temperature of 18.7 °C. On average there is no rain for 309.5 days a year. It is very rare for the temperature to drop below zero. During the last 40 years the highest recorded temperature was 44.6 °C. In Antalya the average humidty rate is 64%, whereas the sea temperatures are 17.6 °C in January, 18.0 °C in April, 27.7 °C in August and 24.5 °C in September.
Touristic Attractions
Antalya and its surroundings are important and noteworthy touristic centers on the Mediterranean Coast with perfect climate and splendid harmony of archeological, historical and natural beauties, throughout the year. Daily tours to touristic areas like Side, Alanya and Termessos are available, in addition to longer tours to Pamukkale or Cappadocia. Professional tourist guides are also available.
Historical Sites Around Antalya
ASPENDOS
One of the most important Pamphylian cities. It is situated on the point where the Köpru River meets the sea. Once an important port and a commercial centre, it has a reputation for raising the best horses on earth. The odeon, basilica, galleria and fountains are worth seeing.
Aspendos Theatre:
The Aspendos Theatre is the only ancient theatre in the world, which is virtually undamaged. It was built by Xenon in the 2nd century BC and has a capacity of 20,000 people. The marvelous acoustics of the theatre are unique making possible activities like the Altın Portakal Film Festival and Akdeniz-Akdeniz Song Contest even today.
TERMESSOS
Termessos is perhaps the most interesting ancient city in Antalya region. It is a Psidian city built at a height of 1050 meters in the Taurus Mountains. Termessos constitutes an unusual synthesis of a large number of rare plants and animal species, which are under protection in the Termessos National Park. When turning off the Antalya-Burdur highway (11 km.) in the direction of Korkuteli, the Termessos signpost will be seen 14 km. further on, and Termessos itself is a further 9 km. A visit to this site requires time and the stamina to walk uphill, because Termessos is built entirely on a mountainous area difficult to access.
The inhabitants of Termessos were known as the Solyms but unlike those of other cities of the time they did not come from the sea and were entirely of Anatolian origin. What is known of their history commences principally at the time that Alexander the Great surrounded the city in 333 B.C., which he likened to an eagle's nest and failed to conquer. Termessos, after a gradual decline, was finally abandoned in the 5th century A.D. Some of the remains found there are the walls, the Hadrian's triumphal arch, the cisterns, the theater, the gymnasium, the agora, the odeon and the heroon. Among the tombs which are scattered far and wide can be seen those of Alcates, Agatemeros and the Lion decorated sarcophagi, which are extraordinary.
ARIASSOS
At a distance of 48 Km. along the Antalya Burdur highway and before arriving at the village Dag, turn left and Ariassos is reached 1 Km. further on. A city of antiquity, Ariassos was built in a valley and could survey its surroundings. The gate, the baths, the rock tombs and the mausoleum are worth seeing.
Duden Waterfalls
Located 12 km from Antalya city centre. The waterfalls are formed by a karstic depression, and 20 metres high and also spring from underground at the point where the water falls. By entering into Dilek Mağarası (Cave of Wishes) located underneath the waterfalls it is also possible to pass to the rear side of the water. The location of the waterfalls has the appearance of a botanical heaven thanks to the rich variety of plants. In the deep valley formed by the falling and flowing water of the waterfalls there are promenades and trout restaurants. The rock tombs observed around the valley bring to mind that the area was a sacred place in ancient times. After 8km the water from the falls forms a small creek, creating a magnificent spectacle as it cascades over the 40 metre high falez rock into the sea in the Lara region. There are restaurants and picnic areas on the falez rock with a view of the sea and waterfalls. Touristic boat tours are organised to the waterfalls from the Marina.PERGE-AKSU
This place is established next to the River Aksu-Kestros, 12 km east of Antalya. The name of the city originates from “Parga” meaning “High” during the Luwian/Etruscan era. The most famous Pergean of ancient times is Apollonius who calculated the characteristics of an ellipse in geometry. It is known that the city was within the boundaries of the country Ahhiyawa as a very small settlement unit during the Hittite era. The population of the city, which was established on the south-eastern hillside of the acropolis during early periods increased with those who returned from the Trojan war, with the boundaries extending down to the flatlands. When Alexander the Great seized the city in 330 B.C., the Persian occupation ceased. The temples built in the name of Artemis, the chief goddess of the city that was included within the boundaries of the Roman Empire in the wake of the commotion which took place in the 1st century B.C., and her brother Apollonius, were converted into a church during the early times of Christianity, Artemis being identified with Virgin Mary and Apollonius with Jesus Christ. The city became the missionary centre during early periods of Christianity and new ramparts were added during the Pax Romana era. It was exposed to the invasions and plunders of the Arabic raiders during the 7th century. Upon the Aksu river being filled with alluvia and becoming unsuitable for maritime transportation, thus devoid of marine trade, the people emigrated to other cities and abandoned Perge. The first of the city remains that one encounters is the theatre thought to have been built during the 2nd century A.D. 43 caveas of the theatre with a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators are divided into two through a diazoma in the middle. By building a gallery at the end of the uppermost cavea it was intended to optimize the acoustics. The existence of protective walls between the tiers of seats and the orchestra shows that the theatre was used as an arena during the late Roman era. The stage building has two storeys, with its face embellished with marble reliefs. Legends from the mythological life of Bacuss, God of entertainment and wine, are depicted in relief.Side
The name is derived from the word meaning "pomegranate" in that languge used to symbolize abundance in the past. Historian Strabon reports that the City of Side was first constructed by the colonists migrated from "Kyme" in the 7th Century B.C. Later on, it was mastered by the Lydians in the 6th Century B.C. and by the Persians at the beginning of the 3rd Century B.C. successively.
When the fleet of the King of Syria, Antiochus III was destroyed near the deep waters of Side by the Rodhosian fleet, Pamphylia was given to the Pergamum Kingdom, but Side was independent at that time. The moust brilliand and thriving days of Side start in this Age.She set up no only a fleet of merchant-ships in addition to warshipts establishing a mighty domination of trade on the district, but also was distinguished as a center of culture. As time went on; piracy became a way of living, and noble spiritual ideals left their places to plundering and ransacking, so that Side turned to be only a city for marketing the ransacked and pillfered goods of the pirates.
It became a self-determining province of Rome in the First Century A.D. Most of the monumental master pieces we see today belong o that period. After the 5th Century A.D. Side was under the influence of Christian doctrine as the other cities of this district. From the 9th Century A.D. until the year 1900 the city was under the continued attacks of the Arabs. In the beginning of the 20th Century some people migrated here from Create.
PHASELIS (Tekirova)
It is one of the early Greek colonies, and seems to be an important commecial port in the 6th Century B.C. Sometime later it was mastered by Alexander the Great, and in the Christian Period it became a center of priesthood. Brutus brought the City under the dependency of Rome in the year 42 B.C. it lost its importtance in the 9th Century A.D.Country and City Guides with Detailed Map
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