"A N T A L Y A is Old City(citadel) a.k.a KALEICI" Top 5 Page for this destination Antalya by marsistanbul

Antalya Travel Guide: 1,092 reviews and 1,997 photos

LEGEND and "earthly paradise"

Antalya,where the sea,the sun,history and the nature have merged each other in splendid harmony,had been entitled as the "Turkish Riviera".Having the most beautiful and the cleanest shores of the Mediterranean,along the 630 km long coastal line of Antalya,one encounters antique cities,antique ports,monumental graves,lace-like shores,beaches,greenest forests,rivers and waterfalls...
History:
Legend has it that Attalos II,King of Pergamon,wishing to found a new city,ordered his men to seek out an"earthly paradise",and that after searching far and wide,they decided that this "earthly paradise" could be found only on the site now occupied by the city of Antalya.An so it was here that Attalos founded his city.Named "Attaleia" after its founder,in Arabic sources it is referred to as "Antaliye" and in Turkish sources as "Adalya".
During the Byzantine period,which began in 395 A.D.Antalya became a very busy port,particularly as regards Mediterranean trade.However,from the 7th century onwards the city was exposed to Arab raids,and in 860 remained for a short time in the hands of Fazl bin Karin,the commander -in-chief of the Abbasid Caliph Mutevekkil,

Old city(Kaleici)

Its strategic location and its importance as a port forming a commercial link between Anatolia and the other Mediterranean countries made Antalya an obvious military target for the Seljuk Sultans.In 1182,it with stood a siege by the Seljuk Sultan KILICARSLAN II,but the determination of the Seljuk Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev I was lent additional urgency by the continual piracy carried out by the Latins who had by then settled in Cyprus,and the damage thus inflicted on the goods of merchants arriving in Antalya.Finally,on 5 march 1207,with the help of the local population,Sultan Keyhusrev captured the city after a two-months' siege.For three days the conquest chaos reigned in the city but " Mubaruziddin Ertokus,who had been appointed Subasi(prefect),gave orders that the people should return to their homes and that peace and security should be restored.The city is known to have been subsequently repaired,grain stored in the granaries,the arsenals filled with weapons and a hatip(preacher) appointed to the mosque".

Kaleici..Old Quarter..Altdtadt..

Antalya museum

On friday in 1212,the non-Muslim inhabitants of Antalya suddenly mutinied,attacking the Turks and killing many of the city administrators.The loss of Antalya caused a powerful reaction among the Seljuks,and Izzeddin Keykavus immediately set out and laid siege to city,which he recaptured on 22 january 1216.

Kaleici can be called the center of Antalya.It is one of the liveliest parts in the city with hotels,pensions,restaurants and entertainment facilities.The streets of Kaleici extend to the old harbor,which is used as an international yacht marina today.
The Kaleici region with surrounding walls,which is the co-production of Hellenistic,Roman,Byzantine,Seljuk,and Ottoman eras,and the Inner Port of Antalya are historical sites under protection sites today.

Antalya being accessible via motorway,airway and seaway transport,districts in Antalya are:Akseki,Alanya,Elmali,Finike,Gazipasa,Gundogmus,Ibradi,Kale,Kas,Kemer,Korkuteli,Kumluca,Manavgat,Serik.Some of those historical must-to see places for those who pay a visit to Antalya are:
Kaleici,Olympos,Cirali,Phaselis,Thermessos,Perge,Aspendos,Side,Kekova and Demre(Myra).There are also the natural wonders of Antalya that one should visit,and Karain Cave,Karatas-Semahoyuk and Zeytintasi Cave,and further more Kursunlu,Manavgat and Duden Waterfalls are worth-to-see natural marvels in Antalya...

Last visit to Antalya: Aug 2008
Intro Updated Sep 2, 2009
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Comments (15)

KristaB Apr 17, 2011 at 10:43 AM Report Abuse

Great tips, thanks. During my 2nd visit to the Arch. Mus. I was shocked that the shop with authenitc handicrafts was replaced by 'modern' tacky gift shop.
joiwatani Jul 25, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Bulent! I am planning my trip to Turkey already...Hopefully next year!!!
viajeras2 Dec 18, 2009 at 6:58 PM Report Abuse

U are the BEST!!!!!!... im glad u got all my advices hehehe..just kiddinggggg hehehe!,, uff Antalya?!! ;0)) wonderful placeee and I know it!!
icunme Sep 17, 2009 at 6:34 AM Report Abuse

Outstanding photos & detail on this delux tour w/you. Hopefully Turkey will recover the upper portion of their Statue of Heracles - as Heracles did not loose his head - it was stolen. Italy has had some success in their efforts. Grazie, Carol
mvtouring Aug 30, 2009 at 5:24 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the great tips, will definately help me in putting itenerary together for us ;-)
nicolaitan Aug 7, 2009 at 5:35 AM Report Abuse

a most educational page - there is so much to antalya, more than i realized. great history to go with great resort. thanks for sharing. n.
christine.j Jul 5, 2009 at 3:25 AM Report Abuse

A very good introduction into Antalya. I will come back and read more.
kokoryko May 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM Report Abuse

Xanthos, Myra, the beautiful museums, all other places; you changed my perception of Antalya, Bulent. I knew a bit about the archaeological treasures, now I know more! This is a wonderful page about a beautiful place. And it is even possible to dive :)))
Arkeolog Mar 23, 2009 at 11:49 PM Report Abuse

Hi, Your Antalya page is excellent in a word. I liked the opening page "Konyaalti beach" and the meaning of the motifs tip. Great tips and photos.
hindu1936 Mar 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM Report Abuse

For such wonderful lessons on Turkish history, we should pay you. Instead, I can only say thank you for making our planned trip to Turkey more exciting. Now go back to work and write more tips. No. Put the coffee cup down and go back to work.