Antalya

Antalya is situated on a plain which consists of two flat areas formed of falez rock at a height of 35 m, where the mountains recede from the shore. As a result of the research at the Karain cave it is understood that the area has been inhabited since the prehistorical times. It is known that the Turquoise/Etruscan tribes moving south from the Euroasian steppes in 3000s B.C. settled down in the Antalya area. The area is named Ahhiyava in the Hittite inscriptions. It went under the reign of Qmrrerans in the 7th century followed by Persians. Macedonians, Pergamenes. Romans and Byzantines and, finally, was seized by the Turks in 1207. The name of the city is "Attalia", that is, The city of the divine King Atila" in the Etruscan/Luwian language, also known as Turquoise. Later, this name was in constant use as the king's title in all the Turquoise branches, the Etruscans, Luwians, Kases and Huns. The name of the city which was located in the ancient Pamphylia later became "Adalia". It served as the center of the Teke Sanjak in the lands of Karamanogullari for a while, then subordinated to the province of Konya in the 19th century and finally became a province in 1923. The Old Antalya is located at a place now known as Kaleicj. Kaleigi contains ruins dating back to thousands of years, temples, churches, basilicas and 715 houses and 47 monuments from the time of the Seljuk and Ottoman dwellings. Most of these having been restored, they serve tourism. As a result of the efforts, the Golden Apple, acknowledged as the Tourism Oscar, was awarded to Antalya Kaleicj in 1984. The foremost woik dating from the Roman era in tie regjon is Hadrian's Gate, but n 139 AD. in conmemorabon of the Emperor Hartal's vis* to lie city. Also kncwr. s= I; Kapdv, tNs two-tier nmr;"i gate has three arches and 8 cdums *ih Corintian capitals set upon pedestals at the facade and the rear. There are square wafch towers on either side. On the western fatez rock end of the Antalya Park, the 14-m high, two-tier Hidirlik Tower is visible. Dating from the Roman era, it was used as a lighthouse. The tower, with a square base and the upper part built of rounded carved stone blocks, and remains of frescoes visible on its inner walls, was also used as a basilica. The Panagia Basilica, dating to the Byzantine era, was transformed into a mosque upon the addition of a single-galleried minaret by the Turkish Sultan Korkut in 1467. The building consists of two sections in the shape of a double cross and is remarkable with its arched gate and reliefs on the door-window edges, and marble columns. The fire in 1896 ruined the mosque and its minaret collapsed halfway down. Therefore, it is today called Kesik Minare [The Truncated Minaret). The symbols of the city, Yivli Minare (The Grooved Minaret) and Ulu Cami Kulliyesi, were built upon the remains of the Byzantine church by Sultan Alaaddin in 1.230. The frame of the 45 m high minaret, built of brick on a square stone pedestal, was erected with bracing in form of 8 grooves, and the upper part is embellished with light blue square mosaic stones. The words God and Muhammed are inscribed on the floor surfaces with turquoise stones and tiles. Ulu Cami, standing adjacent to the minaret, has 6 domes covered with roof tiles, raised on 12 columns. Next to the mosque stands Karatay Medresesi, which consists of small chambers. Courses in technology, science, philosophy and psychology were taught at Medrese. To the northwest of the Mosque is Mevlevihane. This 18th century square building is reinforced by cradle vaults and the dome is covered with roof tiles. To the east of Kiilliye is the Tomb of Mehmet Bey, an octagonal construction upon a square floor, walls of dressed stone blocks and a pyramid spire-shaped roof covered with roof tiles. To the west there is a Selcuklu Hamami (Seljuk Hamam) with walls built of rubble stones, a steam room with a square layout and a roof made of round domes. The Clock Tower is situated at a site known as Castle Gate and is one of the watch towers built on either side of the gate in order to protect it. A clock was placed on it at a later period, Of these 25 metre high towers, the one to the east, which is still standing, has a square layout. Murat Pasa Mosque which was built by Kuyucu Murat Pa§a in 1570 possesses the most beautiful examples of the Turkish-Seljuk art of calligraphy. The altar next to the marble pulpit worked with reliefs is a simple construction. It has two galleries and an ablutions fountain in its garden. Sinan Mosque ordered to be built by Sheikh Sinan during the 16th century with rubble stone is single-galleried and its short minaret is made of dressed stone. Sheikh Sinan's tomb is situated opposite the mosque. Tekeli Mehmet Pa§a Mosque, located behind the Clock Tower at Kalekapisi (Castle Gate), dates back to the 16th century. Balibey Mosque on Balibey street in the city centre was ordered to be constructed by the Cavalry Chief Malkoc.oglu Balibey during the 15th century. MOsellim Mosque, which was ordered to be built by Mehmet Aga, the Head of the Palace Doorkeepers, in 1769 is made of dressed stone. At the northwest corner it has a single-galleried minaret made of brick. The mosque is covered by a large dome on drum frames in three stages, with 4,8 and 10 corners. Ahi Yusuf Mosque, which was built by Ahi Yusuf in 1249, has a square foundation and is made of rubble stone, This little masjid is covered with a round dome with roof tiles. To the east of the city centre are Demirci Karaali Mosque, which was built during the 18th century, and Kir Cami, which was reconstructed with the addition of a minaret. Located at a distance of 50 km to Antalya is the Saklikent ski and recreation centre on Beydaglan. In rivers rafting and canoeing sports and on the Taurus mountains jeep safari, hunting and trekking tours are organized. Alternatively, there is rock-climbing, bird watching tourism, photo-safari, mountain tourism, line fishing and health tourism at the thalasso and dialysis centres in Geyikbayin. Holy tourism activities are organized in Myra, St.Nicholas and Patara. There are underwater diving centers on the coast. In addition, yacht tours are organized. Today Antalya is a world tourism centre with its unique touristic.