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Because
of the archaeological and natural riches of the area,
Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun,
sea, nature and history combine to form a very popular
resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest beaches
in the Mediterranean. The 630km shoreline of the province
is liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbours,
memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves and lush
forests, many of which are easily accessible from the
city.
With
its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed
marina, and old castle with traditional architecture,
all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist
centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection
of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops,
the city also plays host to a number of sporting events
throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball,
triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing
competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995,
hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music,
theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest
in the city is central old quarter within the Roman
walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums.
Antalya is dominated by two climates. The coastal area
is typically Mediterranean with hot dry summers and
mild rainy winters. The interior region has a transitional
climate affected by Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean.
In July and August, the temperature can reach 35 degrees,
with minimal rainfall. Winters can get down to 4 degrees,
and very rarely with it reach freezing point. The wettest
months are December and January, with 250mm of rain
per month. The average annual humidity is 61%.
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Districts:
Akseki, Alanya, Elmali,
Finike, Gazipasa, Gundogmus,
Ibradi, Kale, Kas,
Kemer, Korkutali, Kumluca,
Manavgat and Serik
are all towns in the province of Antalya.
Akseki :
After Alanya, Akseki is the oldest district in the province of Antalya,
and has an appearance that befits its location in the rugged Taurus
mountains, in a forested and very rocky area. The history of Akseki
extends back to the Roman era, when it was known as Marla (Marulya),
and has been continually inhabited until the present day. The developments
in the tourism sector in the Antalya region in recent years have
been seen in Akseki as well. The area is well known for the snowdrop
flower, and every years sees local and foreign visitors coming every
winter to see these flowers breaking through the snow, as the first
sign of spring. In the Giden Gelmez Mountains, goats are protected
and limited hunting is available year-round with the purchase of
a license. Another spot frequented by visitors is the trout farming
facilities in the villages of Sinan hoca and Gumusdamla. The primary
game in the area is mountain goat, rabbit, bear and fox. Other areas
worth visiting are the Goktepe Highland, Giden Gelmez Mountains,
Cimi Highland, Irmak Valley and the 340-metre deep Bucaklan Cave,
which has only recently been discovered. Buildings of interest are
the Ulu Camii and medreses.
Elmali : The exact founding date of Elmali, which is located
within the borders of ancient Lycia, is unknown. Excavations to
the east at Karatas near the village of Semahoyuk, and to the west
in the village of Beyler indicate that the area has been inhabited
seen the Bronze Age. Throughout history it has suffered the rising
and falling fortune of the Lycian region, being ruled respectively
by the Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman empires.
Tumuluses There are several tumuluses in nearby villages. The first
is west of the city in the village of Mugren, on top of which sits
a small fortress dating back to the Roman era. Surface-level archaeological
research indicates that the area was inhabited in the Bronze Age
by various civilisations. Another village to the west, Semahoyuk,
has a tumulus but due to the fact that an Ottoman cemetery is located
on top of it, no research has been done. The third and largest tumulus
is in Beyler, south of the city on the Elmali - Kas road. Excavations
conducted here show that the area has been continuously inhabited
from the Bronze Age right up to the present time. The items unearthed
in the excavations are exhibited in the Antalya Museum. East of
the city 6 km from the village of Elmali near the village of Bayindir,
there are several tumuluses side by side. Artifacts dating back
to the 7th century BC were unearthed during the excavations. Now
on display in a special section of the Antalya Museum, these findings
represent a cross-section of life during that era. A statuette of
pure silver and two of ivory bear witness to the fact that the art
of sculpture in ancient Anatolia had reached a level of some sophistication.
Memorial Tombs There are tombs in Karaburun and Kizilbel. The walls
of the King's Tomb in Karaburun, on the Antalya - Elmali road, is
decorated with frescoes of scenes of hunting and war. The tomb in
Kizilbel is west of the city on the Elmali - Yuvayol road, and is
a single room made of limestone blocks. Define Described as the
Treasure of the Century, this was discovered in 1984, just north
of the Antalya - Elmali road between the King's Tomb and the village
of Gokpinar. Consisting of 190 pieces of ancient silver coins, the
treasure was smuggled to America by antique treasure thieves. It
is still on display in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of
a private collection. The Athens Decadrachme, 14 pieces each worth
US$600,000, is said to be the world's most valuable treasure find.
Mosques The most interesting mosques in the area include Selcuklu
Camii, Kutuk Camii, Sinan-i Ummi Camii, Omer Pasa Camii and medrese.
Korkuteli : Located 67 km from Antalya, Korkuteli is surrounded
by Antalya on the east, Burdur to the north, Mugla to the southwest
and Elmali and Kumluca to the south. The effects of the Mediterranean
climate can be felt here in this region of lakes but the further
one goes inland, the more continental the climate becomes with cold
winters and hot summers. 3 km west of Korkuteli is the Alaaddin
Mosque, only the door of which is still standing. In the same area
is the Seljuk religious school which bears the name of its founde,r
and was built by El Emin Sinaeddin of the Hamidogullari dynasty
in 1319.
Gundogmus : There are numerous ruins of ancient cities in the district
of Gundogmus, 182 km from Antalya. The important ruins are those
of Hagiasophia city, 7 km north of Guzel Bag Bucagi, but no excavations
have been conducted here. There are also the ruins of Asar at Sumene
(7 km from the city centre), Kese (2 km east of the village of Senir)
and Gedfi (11 km southwest of Gundogmus). Other places to visit
in the area include the Cem Pasa Camii; the ruins on top of Sinek
Mountain, 15 km east of the city centre between Gundogmus and Pembelik;
and the ruins of Kazayir at Tasagir, on the Gundogmus - Antalya
highway.
Gazipasa : Situated 180 km from Antalya, Gazipasa is a charming
little town with a beach 10 km long, beautiful forests and turquoise
blue coves. Iskele, the site of the Koru and Kahyalar beaches, is
an important breeding ground of the caretta caretta turtles. Mostly
undeveloped up until the present time, Gazipasa is on its way to
being an attractive tourist centre with accommodation, recreation
facilities, an airport and yacht harbour still under construction,
as well as the natural and historical treasures of the area. Antiocheia
Ad Cragum 18 km east of Gazipasa, and within the village of Guney,
these ruins gets its name from the Commagene King Antiochus IV,
and are found on the three hills that stretch out towards the sea.
It has the ruins of a castle dating back to the Roman and Byzantine
era, a column-lined boulevard, agora, baths, victory arch, a church
and the city necropolis. The barrel-vaulted memorial tombs with
their pre-entrance porticoes are well preserved and reflect a style
peculiar to the region. Adanda (Lamos) This ancient city is located
15 km northeast of Gazipasa, and was founded 2 km north of the present-day
village of Adanda, on top of a high and steep hill. It is a walled
city with a large tower south of the city gate, and among the ruins
are a fountain carved into the living rock and two temples. Other
significant ruins are the tombs in the necropolis made of single
pieces of carved stone. These remains are a good representation
of the culture and art of the mountainous Cilician region. Nephelis
This ancient ruin can be reached by going through the village of
Muzkent 12 km out on the Gazipasa-Anamur road and taking the gravel
road south for about 5 km. The southern area is surrounded by the
sea and steep cliffs. The city consists of the acropolis and the
remains of dwellings spread out in an east-west fashion. The only
standing structures date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods
and include a Medieval Castle, a temple, a musical hall, irrigation
system and the necropolis. Selinus Located on the slopes southwest
of Hacimusa Creek by Gazipasa Beach, the ancient city of Selinus
is one of the most important cities in the mountainous Cilician
region. On top of the hill is the acropolis as well as the walls
and towers of a medieval castle, which are fairly well preserved.
In the Acropolis, a church and cistern have survived the ravages
of time. The other buildings of Selinus are near the beach and on
the slopes, among which are the baths, agora, Islami Yapi (mansion),
aqueducts and the necropolis. Most of the bones in the Alanya Museum
were brought from the Necropolis and allow the workshop in the museum
to exist.
Kumluca : Situated on the plane formed by the silt carried
down from the mountains by Alakir Creek and Gavur Brook, Kumluca
is surrounded by the towns of Finike and Elmali. In the upper reaches
of Alakir Creek fed by the springs coming from Onemli Mountains
and the Beydaglar Mountains, there are trout and striped mullet.
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