Alanya

On the eastern boundary of Antalya, the first settlement unit situated on a peninsula steeply plunging into the sea, at an altitude of 250 m and 800 m in length, surrounded by natural beaches on both sides, later expanded down to the beginning of the eastern littoral. Today, the area considered as one of the foremost centres of Turkish tourism is covered with banana and citrus fruit plantations. It is known that the city was named "Korakassa'Karakassa" meaning 'Point/Protruding City" in the Etruscan/Luwian language which name became Korakession in the antique Pamphylia. Alaaddin Keykubat, the Seljuk Sultan, who besieged the Fortress Korekession in 1221, demanded the city folk to surrender the city. However, the number of his soldiers was only one fifth of the city's population.The Sultan announced to the city folk that if they did not surrender the city, he would storm the city with an army of 100,000. Indeed, Turks gathered before the walls of the fortress in the darkness of night, with torches tied onto the horns of thousands of goats. The Korekession King surrendered the city. Thus, Aiaaddin Keykubat. the Turkish Sultan, carried out one of the most interesting bluffs in history. During the Byzantine era the city was called Kalonoros meaning "Beautiful Mountain". The name of the city, seized by Turks in 1221, was changed to Alaiye in memory of the Sultan I Aiaaddin and it was adorned with various structures reflecting Turkish Seljuk architecture. The inner fortress at the highest point of the peninsula is 180 m long and enclosed with walls, 6 km long. There are 80 towers and 150 bastions upon the walls. The palace, of which the remains can be seen today is thought to have been built of rubble stone, with two storeys. The Byzantine chapel, 6x6 m, with a single dome set upon four walls and frescoes on the interiors are remarkable. From here one arrives at the quadrangular garrison building, adjacent to the inner wall of the fortress, and the ammunition depot/ Arsenal. In the western direction, there is a sheer cliff over which slaves condemned to death were thrown into the sea. On the small peninsula called "Cilvarda" there is a watch tower, dating from the Seljuk era, and a small Byzantine chapel. Other remains visible in the inner fortress are the water cisterns. To the east of the fortress is the three-storeyed Red Tower, considered as the symbol of Alanya, built by Turks in 1227 of red dressed stone blocks, measuring 33 m in height and 29 m in diameter, octagonal in structure, with various chambers,refectories and dormitories on the first two floors and a large water cistern in its courtyard on the third floor. Further on from the tower is a quadrangular shipyard building next to the sea. The facade of the shipyard building has 5 arches which enable the entry of ships and a width of 60 m. On the western slope of the peninsula, 70 m in from the sea, is Damlatas, Cave, 18 m deep, presumably formed over 15,000 years. Damlatas. Cave consists of a small hall comprising stalagmites and stalagtites of magnificent beauty. The air of the cave with its carbon dioxide, nitrogen and radioactivity content is beneficial to sufferers of asthma and bronchitis. AJaaddn Mosque, built in the 16th century, was constructed of stone and red bricks and with three domes, and presents the finest examples of wood-carving craftsmanship.To the east of the mosque is Bedesten-Arcade, 35 m long by 13 m wide, consisting of 26 chambers and a large depot. In the museum opened in 1967, archaeological and ethnographical works of art uncovered in the area are on display. The most important work is the bronze statue of Heracles. Today Alanya serves world tourism with its magnificent coasts and touristic facilities. The marina and environs of Old Alanya, restaurants and shopping centres and boat tours to the Phosphoric and Lovers' Caves, which are sea caves well worth a visit, are attractive to tourists. Moreover, rafting tours are organised around the valley of Dim Creek. In the restaurants set up in the river water with tables and gazebos, it is possible to find authentic Turkish dishes and different kinds of seafood. Jeep-safari tours are organised to the Tablelands of Gedevet and Tiirbelinas on the Taurus Mountains. Dim cave is located in the direction of Gazipasa. The stalagmites and stalagtites of the cave have been brought under protection. The formation, reminiscent of the sight of a frozen waterfall wllhin the cave, is well worth a visit. ALARA The caravans travelling from Alaiye to Antalya and Konya have been staying at Alara Han (Inn) from the Middle Ages until recent times. The quacfrangutar caravanserai, with (intensions of 38x50 m, located on the first :'=" to the esster bank of Alara Creek, was bull of dressed stone blocks with symbols visible thereon, except for the eastern walls. The In was reinforced by triangular and quadrangular struts on three facades. To the north is a portal embellished with lion's head relief, crowned with a depressed arch. On the inscription consisting of six lines over the portal after many attributes exalting the Sultan Alaaddin the date of 1232 is given. One passes through the courtyard behind the portal to the bedrooms and a large courtyard with a masjid and fountain. Small windows were opened on the rear walls of the chambers where passengers could talk to their servants or see the animals. In the inn are the only examples in Seljuk architecture of oil lamp consoles with the form of a lion's head carved on the face. The entrance to Alara Han, two small quadrangular towers built on both sides of the portal, had oil embrasures and shields on the wails for security. The great hall of the inn is covered with star shaped vaults. Today the caravanserai has been restored true to its original and touristic Turkish Nights are organized. The Alara Fortress was built in the Byzantine era to control the passageway connecting Central Anatolia to the Mediterranean. Hidden galleries descending down to Alara Creek through the Castle are visible. Canoeing and rafting tours are organised on Alara Creek. The area is famed for its banana plantations.