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Antalya
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Set amid amazing
scenery of sharp contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort, is
an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning
marina. On the picturesque old quarter, Kaleici, has narrow, winding
streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls.
Since its founding in the second century B.C. by Attalos II, a king of
Pergamon, who named the city Attaleia after himself, Antalya has been
continuously inhabited. The Romans,
Byzantines and Seljuks successively
occupied the city before it came under
Ottoman rule. The elegant, fluted
minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque in the center of the city, built by
the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century, has become
Antalyas symbol. The Karatay Medrese (theological college) in the Kaleici
district, from the same period, exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone
carving. The two most important Ottoman mosques in the city are the 16th
century Murat Pasa Mosque, remarkable for its tile decoration, and the
18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pa5a Mosque. Neighboring the marina, the
attractive late 19th century Iskele Mosque is built of cut stone and set
on four pillars over a natural spring. The Hidirlik Kulesi (tower)
probably was originally constructed as a lighthouse in the second century.
The Kesik Minaret Mosque attests to the city's long history in its
succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and
Ottoman renovations.
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When Emperor
Hadrian visited Antalya in 130 A.D. a beautifully decorated three-arched
gate was built into the city walls in his honor. Near the marina the two
towers flanking the gate and other sections of the walls still stand. The
clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's
fortifications.
In the Ataturk and KaraaIioglu Parks, with their colorful exotic flowers
and the bay's shimmering water in front of you and the mountains behind,
you will have no doubt why Antalya has become such a popular resort. Aqua
Park, on the eastern coast, has every kind of water sport, including many
interesting water-slides.
The award-winning Antalya Kaleici Marina and Leisure Center is considered
one of the loveliest marinas in Turkey. This center can well meet every
tourist's need with its many souvenir shops, friendly cafes and
restaurants as well as yacht moorings and services. Sail in the morning
and enjoy the restful peace of the marina in the afternoon. The old city
walls, lit at night, lend an atmosphere of serenity and timelessness. The
Archaeological Museum, with remains from the Paleolithic Age to
Ottoman
times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history. The
Ataturk Museum
displays objects used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. (Both open
weekdays except Monday)
The Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film and Art Festival, held in
the autumn, attracts both participants and visitors. The ancient theater
in Aspendos makes an impressive setting for some of the festival's plays
and concerts. Antalya also hosts annual jewelery fairs. |
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