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It
is almost 16 km's far from Saklikent and, you can arrive there in
just 25 minutes to arrive there. Everyday our services are available
for you.
Attaleia,
the ancient name of Antalya, is derived from that of the Pergamene
king Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian
seacoast around 150 B.C. Settlement of Antalya and its environs
stretches back to the dawn of humanity however as attested by Paleolithic
finds discovered in the nearby Karain and Beldibi caves and Early
Bronze Age finds discovered at Semahöyük.
Today
it is part on Turkey's "Golden Coast" , an exquisite land
of sun, sea, and history. In 133 B.C. Antalya, together Pergamon's
other possessions in Asia Minor, were taken over by Rome. Antalya
(or "Attalia" as the Bible calls it) is where Paul set
sail from together with Barnabas on his first missionary journey:
"They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. Then after
proclaiming the word at Perge they went down to Attalia and from
there sailed for Antioch..." Acts xiv 24-26).
In
130 A.D., Hadrian visited the city during his peregrinations of
his empire and to this we owe the monumental arch (7) built in his
honor. During Byzantine times Antalya was an archdiocese. Following
the Seljuk capture of the city, Antalya continued to be an important
commercial and military port.
Because the modern
city sits atop the remains of its predecessors, very little remains
of old Antalya. Of the fortifications that once surrounded the city,
only Hydyrlik tower is still standing. Hadrian's Gate, as we have
said, was originally constructed is a victory arch. Kesik ("cut-off")
Minaret and Yivli ("fluted" or "grooved") Minaret
are works from the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad I (1219-1236).
The
former is located on the site of a temple from the 2nd century A.D.
while the latter has become a symbol of modern Antalya. Another
of the architectural works of importance in Antalya is the Karatay
Medresse, built during the reign of the same sultan. The ancient
castle overlooking the ancient harbor with its old houses nestled
inside is worth exploring and the Antalya Museum is a must for anyone
interested in this region's art and history
The area around Antalya
is full of places from which one-day trips may be made to ancient
Lycian, Pisidian, and Pamphylian sites: Termessos,located amidst
the lofty peaks above Antalya; Perge located 17 kilometers, Aspendos
located 49 kilometers, and Side located 80 kilometers along the
road to Alanya; and cities like Selge and Sillyon located somewhat
inland are but a few examples.
In
the direction of Kemer is Phaselis a marvelous archaeological site
where one may enjoy the ruins in the atmosphere of a seaside pine
forest. In addition there are a number of scenic spots of natural
beauty such as the waterfalls at Duden, Kursunlu, and Manavgat which
are a delight to Visit on a hot Mediterranean summer day.
An important Seljuk
seaport, Antalya was connected by a number of trade routes leading
into the hinterland and up-country .As a result, there are many
Seljuk caravanserais in the vicinity. Some of the many that are
worth a look are Alarahan, built in 1231 by Alaeddin Keykubad I;
Sarapsahan and Kirkgözhan, both built during the reign of Gyyaseddin
Keyhüsrev II (1236-1245); Evdirhan, built by Izzeddin Keykavus.
All of these are located on the roadside. Two others -Yusufhan and
Incirlihan -today stand a short distance from the modem road as
one approaches Antalya from the direction of Burdur.
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