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Archaeological Museum Antalya
This is the second largest museum in Turkey, covering an area of 7.000 m2.
It gets the European Council Special Prize as a result of its activities
in 1988. It has 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery. There are aprox.
5000 artefacts on display. In the first hall of the museum, antiquities
showing homework and mathematical calculations made on clay tablets by
children are displayed. In the natural history and prehistory hall there are
fossil and mineral samples. Also on display here are hand axes, arrowheads
and different instruments found at Karain and Beldibi caves. In the hall
containing small and underwater artefacts, the first piece was found in Foça
(Aegaen coast) which is a bronze statue of Herakles.
Underwater findings are mainly
various anchors made of stone and iron and antique amphoras. In the emperors
hall, in addition to the large size statues of the emperors such as Traian,
Hadrianus and Augustus of the Roman era, there are also the statues of the
empresses Sabina, Lulia Donna and Plancia Manga. The statues of the famous
Three Beauties and the female dancer made of black and white marble are
interesting examples. In the tomb cults hall, sarcophagi and reliefs
depicting the burial tradition are shown.
Very interesting mosaics are shown in the Mosaic and Icons Hall. At the rear
part of this section is the treasure of Korydalla/Kumluca. Icons from
various churches primarily being St. Nicholas in Demre are displayed in the
southern part of the hall. In the ethnography hall, various artefacts such
as regional art, clothing, handwritten books and weapons and vessels from
the Seljuk, Ottoman and Republican eras are on display. In the Open Air
Gallery large pieces, such as sarcophagi, tombs, tombstones and statues
which cannot be displayed inside, are shown.
The Atatürk House Museum is the
house where Atatürk stayed when he visited Antalya on 6th of March 1930. It
is now transformed into a museum where furnishings of that period as well as
articles belonging to Atatürk were preserved.
Cave of Karain
Karain Cave is a 20 minutes drive northwest of Antalya at Yağcı Village. It
is a prehistoric cave, located at a height of about 370 metres from the sea
and about 80 metres up the slope. From 1946 up to 1973, the layer of compact
earth at the entrance to the cave was excavated. According to findings
revealed, it was concerned that the Karain Cave was continuously inhabited
in the Middle Paleolithic ages. From the inscriptions and monograms on the
outer walls it can be understood that this inhabitation also continued
during the classical ages and that the cave was used as a sacred place. The
ancient road joining Pamphilia with Pisidia starts in the villages of
Döşemealtı. This ancient road, was in use until today, the villages
established in the area were called Döşemealtı villages. The Turkoman yörüks
who have settled in the area today weave the famous Döşemealtı carpets.
Perge- Aksu
This place is established near to the River Aksu-Kestros, only 10 km east of
Antalya. The temples built in the name of Artemis, were converted into
a church during the early times of Christianity. The city became the
missionary centre during early periods of Christianity. The people emigrated
to other cities and abandoned Perge because the Aksu-river being filled with
alluvia and was therefore unsuitable for maritime transportation and
excluded them from marine trade.
Perge entrance
The theatre thought to have been built during the 2nd century A.D. has a
seating capacity for 15.000 peoples. The U-shaped Stadion lying on the
opposite site of the theatre has a capacity for 25.000 peoples. In the North
of the Stadion, you come to a city gate connecting two watch towers. Through
this gate you enter Septimus Severus Square, 70 mtr long. After that you
come to the Roman-Bathhouse. In the Roman era bath culture was highly
advanced and bathhouses were very important places for men to meet. For
women it was forbidden to go into these bathhouses, therefore all services
were provided by and for men.
At the end of the Colonnaded street the Acropolis is visible. In the
acropolis you find water-cisterns from the Byzantine era and it is
considered that the Artemis Perge Temple also existed here. The Agora square
is also considered as a space where, in ancient times, the urban folk,
slaves and people of different social classes met, dicussed political
problems of the city and performed their social life.
Aspendos
This is situated on the hill of an acropolis at a height of 40 mtrs, right
by the side of the river Eurymedon near the village of Serik, aprox. 40 km
east of Antalya. Aspendos was an important trade city because of the
convenience of the creek Eurymedon for maritime transportation during the
epochs before Christ and the Roman era. Horses bred in the area, salt and
cheap wines were the main export products.
Ancient thater of Aspendos
The most important building from the ancient city of Aspendos is the theatre
with a capacity of 12.000 places. The Aspendos-Theatre has today been
accepted as one of the best preserved antique theatre with the best
acoustics in the world. After the entrance into the theatre with the Roman
architectural characteristics the spectators, could come to the 24m.
diameter orchestral court and, from there, reach the upper tiers. On top of
the stage building, the relief of Bacuss, God of entertainment and wine, is
visible. Also here for women were forbidden to take part in the shows. The
Antalya Music and Film Festival gala is performed here every year in summer.
Today there are many touristic shopping-centres and trout-restaurants.
Köprülü Canyon Beskonak
National Park
Köprülü Kanyon (bridged canyon) National Park is located at a distance of 70
km from Antalya on the hillsides of the Taurus Mountains. Within the Park
flows the River Köprü, 120 km long, through the valleys and canyons. The
river valley within the Park is 15 km long and in some places, 400 m high
canyons with steep walls. The most important morphological characteristic at
the site is this steep cleft valley. The flora and fauna of the National
Park is unique and manifold. The local people live from grape, wine, olive
and timber trade and livestock dealing.There are trout breeding centres and
fishrestaurants.Rafting and canoeing sports are organised in the canyon
today by lots of local tour-operaters.
Picture: Ministry of Tourism
Selge
Selge lies at an altitude of 1300 mtr on the Taurus mountains within the
settlement unit of Zerk Village Altınkaya. The city can be reached by
passing the only 2 mtr wide Bridge, made of a single large arch and big
stone blocks.
Selge was encircled with walls all around and between the walls it had a
great city gate, guarded by watch towers on both sides. The most important
remains are the theatre and a temple of Zeuss: Also was an Agora open on the
southern side, with rows of shops on the other three sides surrounded by
columns.
Termessos
The remains of the antique city of Termessos are on the direction of the
road to Korkuteli. The area was declared Güllük/Termessos National
Park and Protection Area. Termessos started to urbanize after
the 6th century B.C. Termessos was not seized by the Persians as nearly all
of Anatolia and even King Alexander the great was not be able to capture it.
Termessos was the only city in Anatolia which Alexander could not capture
during his trip to Asia. Termessos fell in ruins and was
destroyed from a earthquakes.The city remains have survived
until today. On the Kings Road leading to the antique Termessos
there is a main entrance gate with a gymnasium complex. Near the
front of the gymnasium there are 26 tiers of seats and a theatre which is
thought to have a seating capacity of aprox. 6.000 people. There are three temples
in front of the Odeon and many interesting sarcophagi. One of the most
important tombs there is the house type tomb with lions head relief
constructed in the Lycian style.
Phaselis - Picture: Hartmut Grimm
Phaselis
Coming from Antalya along the coastal highway in the direction of Kumluca,
after aprx. 63 km the peninsula where the ancient city of Phaselis lies can
be reached. The city is established upon a peninsula with three small bays
surrounded by mediterranean flora and pine forests. The beach of the
northern port of the city is a natural breeding ground of caretta-turtles
and are under protection. The very changeable history of the area dates back
to around 4000 B.C. The urbanization of this small port city started already
upon the immigration of the Anatolian people returning from the Trojan War
during the 12th century B.C.
Today, the remains of the ancient city are mostly in ruins. You see three
natural bays that had been used as ports. The colonnaded street combines the
northern and southern port and was a very busy place in the city. In the
middle of the street was the Agora square. The theatre with a sitting
capacity of 3.000 people was also used as an arena in the latest roman
area. The ancient city has two necropolises with many remains of sarcophagi.
Many pieces unearthed as a result of the excavations in the city can be seen
in the Antalya Museum. Now, since 2003 the ancient theater of Phaselis is in
use every September for the Art-Days of Phaselis. A culture organisation of
KETAV (Kemer promotion foundation)
Tekirova is a small village near to Phaselis. Today it is a modern tourism
centre with good and komfortable hotel and club facilities and many shops
and restaurants.
Cooking in natur on the burning
stones of Cimaera
Chimera/Çirali
Near of the ancient city of Olympos, the place Yanartas" (burning stones)
is located. You can cook on it as seen on the picture :-). The area is called Yanartaş (Chimaera) because of the
inflammable gas coming from the cracks formed as a result of earthquakes.
Take your lighter and you can burn at every corner your privat and mystic
fire. Here you can find the remains oft a Byzantine Orthodox Basilica
building.
Olympos-Yazirköyü
In a distance of 95 km to the west of Antalya left on direction to Kumluca.
The Olympos-Beydağları National Park is located here where the river of
the same name joins the sea. Remains are found at a place named Korykos.
During the Ottoman area the city lost its character and because of floods,
the people left the area. South of the port, a part of the caveas and the
entrance of the theatre still remains. The theatre was used as an outdoor
Orthodox basilica during the Byzantine era. There are remains of the Roman
Bathhouse and, on the south bank of the river, the remains of a Byzantine
Church. In the south of the river is the main necropolis with more than 200
inscribed tombs.2 sarcophagi, named Port Monumental Tombs, have been
unearthed during recent excavations. Today the area is a favourite tourist
place, with its nice beach of great beauty and pensions, small guest houses,
restaurants, yörük style bungalows and the special tree houses.
Adrasan
Adrasan-Çavusköy
Adrasan, 100 km west of Antalya at the northern end of the bay with the
same name. The Bay of Adrasan with a sandy beach is a natural port since
ancient times. The area is today under protection and serves tourism with
its pensions ,small hotels, and boarding houses and some unique restaurants.
This area is ideal for hiking and walking tours and relaxing as well.
Adrasan is within the natural conservation area and a place for the
caretta-turtels.
The tombs of Myra
Myra-Demre
The plain of Demre, which was formed by the alluvial soil carried by Demre river
is located at the southeastern end of the Teke peninsula. Demre is today a
very popular and interesting tourism centre for daily tourism. Also the
Church of St. Nicholas and a big number of rock tombs and the marvellous coast are located here. A
bishop named St. Nicholas lived here during the 4th century because of his
efforts the city became very famous. A church was built in his name here ,when
St.Nicholas died.
Today Demre is a centre of greenhouses, and citrus fruits. The remains of
the antique city lie in the area called Kocademre located 1 km to the north..
Among many remains e.g. such as the theatre, the agora ,acropolis and
aqueduct the most important ruin of the ancient city of Myra visible today
is the Necropolis full of Lycian rock tombs, which are unique in the world.
Lycians always put their dead into a sarcophagus placed on a high rocky podium
or in the rock tombs carved into the rock face high up on the mountains. The
house-type tombs carved into the front façades had one or several chambers.
The dead were placed with their most beloved articles like jewellery,
clothes and food. Reliefs on the face of the rock tombs shows they alive
professions of the dead.. Authentic local souvenirs are sold in shops and
you could find some restaurants in the area.
St. Nikolas Church
St. Nicholas, was born in Patara in around 300 A.D. He lived as a bishop
in the city of Myra where he died. He was seen as the greatest protector and
guard of sailors, merchants, the poor and above all, children. Still today
its believed that he bring presents to children in the whole Christian world
on Christmas Day every year. When he was a bishop, he treated everybody the
same. His advice was convincing and he used to pray day and night.Because of
legends and miracles, that can not be listed here. As St. Claus he became
famous all over the world. In Myra, St. Nicholas celebrations take place
every year on 6th of December. The church was repaired several times and
survived up to the present time.
Andriake
Andriake, a harbour town is located at the point where the Demre creek flows
into the sea. Its most important remain is the rectangular Granarium.
Andriake is the starting port of daily boat tours to Kekova (must see).
The Demre Mineral Springs Spa are closed to the northwest of the beach
where yopu could find touristic fish restaurants as well.
Kekova islands - Picture: Hartmut Grimm
Kekova Island
In front of the village of Kaleköy the island Kekova is located and can be
reached by boat. The island is covered with maquis and wild olive
trees.There is also a spring on the island. Daily boat tours to the island
start from Demre and Kaş. In former times the island sank a few metres after
an seaquake. The remains of buildings along the shore of the island are to
be seen under the water. When you come near to the side of the island of
Kekova which faces the mainland by boat, you can see the harbour walls,
shops, sidewalks and stone steps of the Sunken City under the sea. Also
half-sunken houses you can see.
The ancient city of Simena is located on the peninsula right across the
island of Kekova. Among the ruins of Simena the small fishing village Kale (since
March
2005 Kale is renamed to Demre) is located today. The village of Üçağız is
located in a distance of 19 km from DemreKaş highway. Boat tours are
organized to here from Demre/Andirake and Kaş. Many fish restaurants along
the shore serve to boat and yacht tourists. Another ancient village in the
area is Simena, whith a famous fortress surrounding the acropolis. The
history of the city dates back to around 3000 B.C. and was very turbululent
and changeable
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