ANTALYA

Antalya was formerly called Attalaia, a name derived from Attalus II, king of Pergamum, who founded the city in the 2C BC. The port city became the capital of Pamphylia and was protected by walls in 130 AD. These walls were reinforced in the 10C. During the Crusades, the place became the port of embarkation to Palestine. Taken by the Seljuk Turks in 1207, it was incorporated to the Ottoman Empire at the end of the 14th century. Antalya is a famous touristic, seaside and winter resort much appreciated by both Turks and foreigners, and is partly located on a 40 m / 132 feet high cliff and sheltered in a beautiful bay with mountains as background. It is a charming city with an old picturesque area where stone and wooden houses overlook the marina. It is also a very active city where many festivals and events take place like the Golden Orange (Altin Portakal) Film Festival in September or the Mediterranean International Music Festival in October. Many parks adorn the city. In the surroundings there are the Kursunlu Waterfalls and also the Düden Waterfalls which particularity is that their water flows into the see. Among the most beautiful beaches is Konyaalti that stretches for kilometers and from where there is a gorgious panorama over the Beydaglari mountains. Golf players meet at the beautiful National Golf Club located in Belek, 40 km / 25 miles east of Antalya. Antalya has a domestic and international airport. Ferries link Antalya to Venice / Italy and to Girne/ Northern Cyprus.

Kaleiçi is a very nice area overlooking the marina where it is recommended to wander through its narrow streets to discover the old typical houses that have been restored, some of which are small boarding houses. It is a protected area where modern constructions are forbidden. The Gate of Hadrian was built to commemorate the visit of the emperor in 130 AD. Remains of Roman and Byzantine walls can still be seen there. Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret) was originally a Roman temple first converted into a Byzantine church in the 5th century, and finally converted into a mosque in the 13th century. Hidirlik Kulesi is a round tower which was part of the walls which do not exist any more. Yivli Minare is a fluted minaret that is part of Ulu camii , a 13C Seljuk mosque and medrese complex. It has become the symbol of Antalya. The Archaeoligical Museum holds most interesting collections and should not be missed.