There is no doubt that Antalya is the most beautiful place in the world!
The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Antalya is the sea, sand and sun. However, this is not all. The city is located in the south of the country, at the edge of a spacious fertile plain. This region was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Spread out in a picturesque bay surrounded by lush greenery of palm trees, oleanders and lemon trees. Reflecting in the azure-blue sea, Antalya is surrounded on three sides by the high ranges of the Taurus Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks seem to crown it with a regal crown.
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Old City
Kaleici is a place where you can plunge into the atmosphere of the old world. There are many tourist attractions here. Well-restored and whitewashed red-roofed Turkish mansions lined the cobbled streets, now complemented by a host of boutique hotels, art galleries and restaurants.
Yivli Minaret
The main attraction and symbol of Antalya, built by the Seljuk sultan Ala-ad-din Kay-Qubad I (1219-1236). The minaret is a typical example of Seljuk architecture.
Hadrian's gate
The most impressive entrance gate to the Kaleici area. The three-arch gate was built to commemorate the arrival of the Roman emperor Hadrian in 130 AD. The gate with three arches is covered with marble and decorated with sculptural compositions. There are two beautiful towers on either side of the gate.
Aspendos
It is one of the richest cities in Pamphylia. Towering over the ruins of the ancient city of Aspendos, the Roman Theater is considered the best-preserved structure of its kind in the world and one of the most important tourist attractions in Turkey. The theater for 15,000 – 20,000 spectators has been completely restored. Today, the Aspendos Theater welcomes up to 20,000 people to festivals and events.
Eagle's nest Termessos
This city has a peculiar atmosphere. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans … managed to tame the warlike disposition of the Pisidians, the eagles defending their independence in the impregnable mountain stronghold of Termessos.
Perge
It has been an important city in the region since the 2nd century BC. up to the 5th century A.D. It is famous for its prime location on important trade routes. Saint Paul in 46 C.E. visited the city at the very beginning of his journey.
Olympos and Chimera
Near the villages of Olympos and Cirali are the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. But not only ancient ruins are interesting here, but also Mount Chimera, on the slopes of which natural fire has been burning for many thousands of years.
Phaselis
The ancient Lycian port is the city where in 334 BC the troops of Alexander the Great were stationed in winter quarters. The ruins of the ancient city contain the ruins of a theater, an aqueduct, temples, streets with colonnades and the arched Hadrian’s gate.
Side
According to Strabo, Side was one of the oldest known Greek colonies in Anatolia, which was founded by immigrants from the Aeolian Cima in the 7th century BC. e. on the site of an older settlement. The word “Side” in the local Anatolian language meant “pomegranate” – philological studies have shown that this word has neither Greek nor Phoenician roots. The pomegranate was considered here a symbol of abundance.
Myra
A city in the confederation of ancient Lycia, near the sea, on the Andrak River, at the mouth of which was the Andriake harbor. According to legend, in this harbor the Apostle Paul landed on the shore before his departure to Rome. The ruins of a Greco-Roman theater and tombs carved into the rocks have survived from the city. The uniqueness and originality of the tombs can be explained by the fact that the peoples of Lycia had a custom to bury the dead in high places, since it was assumed that this would help them get to heaven.
Nicholas the Wonderworker
During the era of Christianity, Mir was able to retain its importance, since in 300 AD Nicholas of Patara, known in the Orthodox tradition as Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, a miracle worker, after being trained in Xanthus, became Bishop of Myra, where he preached until his death in 343 year. He was buried in this church. Soon after the death of Nicholas, according to church tradition, several miraculous healings took place among the believers who came to venerate his relics, and Myra became a place of pilgrimage and holy faith. In the Western world, Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) has come to be seen as the protector of children to whom he brings gifts on Christmas night.
The sunken city of Kekova
It is a sunken city on the southern coast of Turkey. Located next to the modern city of Demre. The city was founded by the Lycians a thousand years BC. In ancient times, Kekova was known as Dolihiste. Dolihiste sank in a strong earthquake in the 2nd century BC. The bottom sank several meters and the coast of the city sank under the water. This is how the island of Kekova appeared. Now, this sunken city is also called the island – Kekova.