TURKEY ALANYA - CITIES OF ANTIQUITY

CITIES OF ANTIQUITY

To the east and west of the modern day Alanya lie the ruins of several ancient settlements. Both low lying coastal ruins and those that crown steep hills display a highly developed sense of aesthetics and life style of the people who lived in the region in antiquity.

AYASOFYA (COLYBRASSUS)

AYASOFYA, approximately 30 kilometres from the centre of Alanya, is believed to have been inhabited densely during the Roman Period. Various inscription tablets found among the ruins provide important details about the history of Alanya, although many gaps in that history remain. In this mysterious ancient city, especially a rock carved tomb with its monumental façade attracts the attention.

HAMAXIA

Hamaxia, 12 kilometres from Alanya, most likely dates to the pre Roman- Period. Among the prominent ruins are the monumental fountain with a pool and a complex of religious buildings. The city was a small settlement attached to Alanya Coracesium) in the 2^nd century AD and today the local people call it as the “Sinek Kalesi” (Fortress of Flies)

SYEDRA

The history of ancient Syedra, which is about 20 kilometres east of Alanya, reaches back to the 7^th century BC, and the city survived until the 13^th century. Defensive walls surrounded the city and a monumental gate, still standing, controlled the entrance. Among the ancient ruins are the agora, dwellings, theatre, cisterns, temple, acropolis and necropolis. The numerous inscriptions and tablets commemorating sporting events and competitions indicate that Syedra was an important centre of sports during antiquity.

LARTES

The city is situated about 25 kilometres east of Alanya , in the region which was known in antiquity as the Rugged Cilicia ( Cilicia Trachea). Most of the ruins are from the Roman Period. Among them are the imparatorlar Caddesi (Emperors’ Street), observation tower, Odeon or theatre, agora, a semicircular exedra which provided social space at the agora, bathhouse, various temples and the necropolis. The city reached its apogee under the Roman Empire during between the 1^st and 3^rd centuries.

AYTAP (LOTAPE)

This ancient city, named after lotape , wife of Antiochus, King of Commagene, is situated about 30 kilometres east of Alanya. The acropolis of the city is on a promontory jutting into the sea. While climbing the hill requires considerable effort, the magnificent view from top makes it worth every step. While visiting the ancient city for its archaeological and cultural merits, visitors can also swim in the cove that contains the ruins of the ancient harbor.

ALANYA FORTRESS

Alanya was on the historical Silk Road and there were many caravanserais or inns built in its environs along with fortress to ensure their safety. The Alanya Fortress is a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List. Within its walls there are many impressive monumental buildings. The walls, towers, bastions, hundreds of cisterns, Tersane (Dockyard), Kizilkule (Red Tower), Palace of Seljuk rulers, along with traditional Alanya houses serve to carry visitors on a journey into history and the soul. 

The Alanya houses of the Fortress, which have been restored and put into use, are worth a visit. Some of the houses contain old style hand looms for weaving and others serve food in their gardens. The road up to the Fortress is open to vehicular traffic, and there are restaurants and cafes overlooking the harbour and port. Climbing on foot may take about 45 minutes, but a complete tour of the Fortress may take a whole day.