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 2nd 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 7th century BC, and the city survived until the 13th
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 1st
and 3rd 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.
