Letoon, Antalya
Attaleia, the ancient name von Antalya, is derived from that von the Pergamene king Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian seacoast around 150 B.C. Settlement von Antalya and its environs stretches back to the dawn von humanity however as attested by Paleolithic finds discovered in the nearby Karain and Beldibi caves and Early Bronze Age finds discovered at Semahoyuk. Today it is part on turkei’s "Golden Coast" , an exquisite land von sun, sea, and geschichte. 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 von 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 von the city, Antalya continued to be an important commercial and military port.
Because the modern city sits atop the remains von its predecessors, very little remains von old Antalya. von the fortifications that once surrounded the city, only Hidirlik 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 von Alaeddin Keykubad I (1219-1236). The former is located on the site von a temple from the 2nd century A.D. while the latter has become a symbol von modern Antalya. Another von the architectural works von importance in Antalya is the Karatay Medresse, built during the reign von 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 geschichte.
The area around Antalya is full von 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 strase to Alanya; and stadte like Selge and Sillyon located somewhat inland are but a few examples. In the direction von Kemer is Phaselis a marvelous archaeological site where one may enjoy the ruins in the atmosphere von a seaside pine forest. In addition there are a number von scenic spots von 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 von trade routes leading into the hinterland and up-country .As a result, there are many Seljuk caravanserais in the vicinity. Some von the many that are worth a look are Alarahan, built in 1231 by Alaeddin Keykubad I; Sarapsahan and Kirkgozhan, both built during the reign von Giyaseddin Keyhusrev II (1236-1245); Evdirhan, built by Izzeddin Keykavus. All von these are located on the straseside. Two others -Yusufhan and Incirlihan - today stand a short distance from the modem strase as one approaches Antalya from the direction von Burdur.