Mediterranean Coast
Mediterranean Coast of Turkey offers outstanding ancient
cities and stunning natural beauties. The region between Gulf of Antalya and
Iskenderun Gulf attracts great number of visitor. The area is cut off from the
Central Anatolia by impressive Taurus chain which give access only at the
certain points. This God-gifted region has cotton, sesame, citrus fruits
plantation.
Termessos
Located on the Gullu Dag, Termessos is one of the most
impressive and romantic ruins of the region. During the early centuries, people
of Termessos were called Solimians and they gained great reputation as the great
warriors of ancient times. First mention of Solimians was during the Trojan War.
They took part on the Trojan side. Second mention of the Solimians was in the
legend of Bellerophotes and Pegasus. Bellerofontes was sent to king of Lycia who
gave him very difficult tasks to accomplished. First deed was to fight against
great monster with lion head, goat body and snake tail, Chimeira. This monster
destroyed everything with its breath of fire. The hero pinned it down. His
second mission was to fight against the people of Solymians. Termessus was fist
under the Lydian and then under the Persian occupation. People of Termessos
defended their city against the attacks of Alexander the great who eventually
changed his mind and continued his campaign. He said that he would not loose
part of his army because of the eagle nest. He continued his campaign in full
speed. Another interesting event which was related to Alexander time was the
story of general Alketas.
Perge
According to tradition, the city of Perge was founded by
Calchas and Mopsus, the heroes who took part at the Trojan war. Those wandering
Greeks trying to return home built few cities in ancient Pamphilia. Although we
do not know exact site of the early city, it is suggested it was possibly
situated on the flat hill beyond the city. The history of the town starts
Hellenistic Period. Two impressive towers date back to this period.
Visitors arriving to Perge first encounter with the Perge
theatre. This great theatre, which could accommodate 12000 people, is built on
hillside. The carvings of the stage building depict the scenes from the life
Dyonisus, the god of wine and theatre. His birth, his childhood and his youth.
Another impressive monument of the city is Roman stadium which
could hold 12.000 people. Athletic games, wrestling, boxing, foot race were held
in the stadium.
After the theatre ad the stadium, visitors arrive to late
Roman gate. As soon as they got to other side of Roman Gate, a great square
waits for them. Mufti stored Monumental fountain is situated on the left hand
site. A colossal entry leading the Roman Baths also draw our attention.
Oldest and most impressive monument in Perge are famous
Hellenistic towers. People of Perge, being so proud of their old Hellenistic
towers, they created a square between the late Roman gates and Hellenistic
towers. Using these two impressive towers, they also built horse shoe shaped
entry to the city, decorated with the statues of the legendary founders of the
city and leading figures of the Perge. Visitors see the names of Plancia Magna,
a former priestess of the temple and great Roman official who constructed a
great number of monuments for the city of Perge. Starting from this monumental
gate, one enjoys one of the most beautiful streets of antiquity, a wide avenue
lined with columns and shops and water canal which ran from the Hellenistic Gate
up to monumental fountain. Water cascaded from pool to pool and created most
beautiful effect on this columned street. The Agora, commercial market place,
which is surrounded by the line of shops, is situated near the columned avenue.
A circular monument which draws our attention is a temple dedicated to the
goddess of god luck, Fortuna.
Side
Side is one of the greatest sights of Antalya Region.
Aspendos
The city of Aspendos was founded by heroes who took part at
the Trojan war. The city gained great fame because of the statues made in
Aspendos and the salt exported from the nearby salt lake. Many coins founded in
the regions gives us great idea about the early history of Aspendos. One of the
important mentions of the city was during the time of the Alexander the great.
The people of Aspendos first welcomed the Macedonian general and like people of
Perge they were planning to surrender their city. But they changed their mind.
They carried all their belongings into the inner city walls. Alexander got news
while he was trying to capture Silyon. He got so upset and attacked to Aspendos
at full force. After capturing the city, he punished the city of Aspendos and
forced them to pay a great tribute which included the great horses of the city.
Visitors can still enjoy great monuments of the city over the acropolis. But the
monument which draws the greatest interest and visitors is Aspendos theatre.
Aspendos theatre which is considered one of the most preserved
in the world was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius the second century
AD. This fascinating edifice was designed and constructed by architect Zenon
whose name is inscribed on one of the side entrances. The theatre which still
has its stage building at full height could accommodate nearly 20.000 people.
Although it is the best preserved Roman theater, it is built on the hill side.
Visitors can enjoy the features of the Roman theatre in Aspendos. The royal
boxes is situated over the side entrances of the theatre. The stage building
which was adorned with statues and columns has still the relief depicting the
god of wine, Dionysus. the cracked figure of Dionysus inspired the local people
for creation of an interesting legend.
According the this local tradition, the king of Aspendos
declared that whoever built the most fascinating monument for the benefit of the
city, he would permit his daughter to get married with him. So, two great
monuments were built for the city and two young architects finished them at the
same time. The king could not decide for the bride groom and decided to split
her daughter into two and give to each suitor half of her body. The architect of
the theatre who was madly in love with king's daughter, he explained to the king
instead of letting her to die, he would draw back. King understood soon who
loved her daughter most, he accepted the architect of the theatre as his bride
groom.
Second important structure is aqueducts built during the Roman
centuries. It was constructed by the family.
Manavagat is famous because of its nearby waterfalls and
beautifull coastline.
Alanya
Alanya, ancient Coracesium, is one of the very popular towns
on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. A great Fortress crowning the summit of a rock
hill impresses visitors. Ancient Coracesion was a pirate city till it was captured
by Pompey the Great during his great campaign against piracy. The fleet of
pirates was burnt near Alanya, which was one of the their strongholds. Romans
presented the region to Cleopatra. During the Byzantine centuries, Alanya was flourished
new churches and structures. Second Golden Age of Alanya was Seljuk Period when
impressive shipyards, great fortress and Red Tower was built. Alanya fortress
has tre enclosures. So defenders always took shelter always in the inner walls
of this fortress. Great number of cistern discovered at the fortress revealed
that defenders could defend their city quite long period of time.
Silifke
Located by Calicadnos river and towered by an impressive
fortress, Silifke is one of the colorful towns of southern Turkey. The town
which was founded by Selecus I in the third century BC, it was known as Celeusia
ad Calycadnus. The former Byzantine fortress, situated at the top of rock hill
at the center of the town, is transformed into a splendid fortress with 23
towers by the Knight of Rhodos. Visitors can see a cistern and Ottoman mosque
built by Sultan Bayezit during the 15th century. A Roman Bridge still spans the
Calycadnos River. It was the same river where Frederic Barbarossa, the leader of
the Third Crusade, got drownded in 1190 AD. This event ended the third Crusade.
Famed for its folklore dances known as spoon dance and traditional Turkish
Yougurt, Silifke also offers great number of ancient monuments in the town and
aound the town.
Tarsus
Tarsus, the birth place of Saint Paul, was great city on the
major caravan and sea routes. Today, it is a modern town with few ancient
monuments and sights.
Adana
In the center of very flat and fertile plain lies the town of
Adana, the cotton and citrus capital of Turkey. Adana is the fifth largest city
in Turkey. Archeological research carried out near Adana reveals that history of
Adana goes back Prehistoric times. The Adana region is dotted with great Hitties
cities and monuments. The historical richness of the region is easly noticed in
archeological Museum of Adana.
Adana is also birth place of Yasar Kemal, great Turkish
novelist.
One of the surviving Roman Monuments id famous stone bridge
built by emperor Hadrian. This famous bridge, sole passageway towards Palestine
and Syria, witnessed the passage of many well known figures of the history. It
was restored during the 6th century. This Roman Bridge which is nearly 1000 feet
long and still keeps 14 of its original arches.
A ruling family of Ottoman centuries, Ramazanogullari left
great architectural heritage in Adana. Ulu Camii, Akca Mescit, Eski Camii are
some of those monuments.
Adana also houses great number of Bazaars and Turkish Baths.
This great city of the southern coast.
Antakya Antioch
Although Antioch is surrounded by many early historical
mounds, the history of Antioch doesn't go beyond Seleucid Period. During the campaign
of Alexander the Great Amik Plain was full of nomadic tribes living in tents and
made their living by cultivation, looting and hunting. The first city was
founded in 307 BC by Antigonus, but soon Seleucos I had the city rebuilt on the banks of
Orantes River. The city met all the necessities of the Seleucids Empire. It
embraced Anatolia, the Valley the Euphrates, Iran and it was on the sea. The
people of the nearby cities were forced to come and settle in Antioch. This was
done to increase the population of the city. soon the city had four districts
having their own walls but having a wall in common all around the city. Starting
from its beginning the city was embellished with great monuments, statues.
Antioch had a mosaic of people. There were Macedonians, Jewish, Arameans and indigenous
peoples of Anatolia. Soon the population of Antioch reached 500.000
people. It was the city of business and at the same time it was city of
pleasure. Because of nice climate, it also attracted many rich, powerful people. Antioch and its temple for God Apollo and festivals and games
done in his
honor was famous all over the Orient. Pompey the Great, famous Roman general
captured the city and declared as a free city. Although the city was shaken by
terrible earthquakes in 37AD and in 115 AD, it continued to be a very important
city because of its commercial, literary and scientific activities. There was
famous school of philosophy and even a group of people who were the disciples of
Aristotle. In environment was also very suitable for the spread of Christianity.
After the crucifixion of Christ, many disciples came to Antioch. saint Peter,
Barnabas and Paul all came to Antioch. In spite of persecution, Christianity had
its spread rapidly in Antioch. Towards the end of Roman reign, there are were some
sad events or the population of Antioch. when Persian King Chapour I captured
the Antioch, he forced the part of the population to move to Susa. Second trouble
came during the time of emperor Diocletianus who systematically persecuted Christians and destroyed the
Christian Churches. When Christian faith
became official religion for the Roman empire during the reigns of Constantine and
Theodosius, a flourishing period for Antioch started. Then Antioch regained
its former position as a spiritual and commercial leader of the Orient. When
great arguments started for the superiority of three major churches : Antioch, Caesarea
and Constantinople, Antioch supported Arius and his doctrine. Although
the doctoring of Arius was rejected during the Niceae Ecumenical Council, the Bishop of
Antioch sent a letter to Pope and explained their support for Arius in
340 AD. In 526 AD an earthquake hit Antioch and killed 250.000 people, nearly the
half of population of the city. Few year later, another disaster Persian
Occupation ruined the city. Emperor Justinian recaptured the city.
Antioch fell into Turkish hands in ....but this did not last
long time. The Crusaders captured the city and Antioch stayed under the Latin
occupation for a while. Antioch became Memluk soil in.
Saint Peters Grotto
A modern road leads you to cave where early Christians used to
meet. A church was built there during the time of Crusaders. Visitors can still
see the remains of a mosaic and a tunnel, used to escape during the time of
danger.
Mosaic Museum of Antioch
This fascinating museum of Antakya houses one of the
collections of Roman Mosaics in the world. These mosaics with unrivalled beauty
were discovered by Princeton University in ancient Antioch, in Alexandriatta,
especially in Dapni, resort town of ancient Antioch. There, they decorated the
walls of magnificent Roman Villas.
