ALANYA

Alanya (100,000 inhabitants) is one of the more important tourist localities of the Turkish southern coast. Situated in the gulf of Antalya in a splendid position, surrounded from the mountain chain of the Taurus, than here exceed the 2500 meters of height, the city is found 135 km from Antalya, on the sea, around to a rocky promontory placed between two sandy beaches and with a fortress on the top.

Alanya was inhabited beginning from the age of the Hittite and Persian empires, but the first work of fortification of the peninsula goes back to the hellenistic age, the city, during this period, was called “Karakesion”. In the 65 bC became part of the Roman Empire, later was part of the Byzantine Empire and beginning from 1221 became part of the Seldjuk Reign, it was this period the golden age of the city, the imposing fortifications were constructed, Alanya was the winter capital of the Seldjuk Reign and an important port of trade, that entertained trading routes with Egypt and the Italian Maritime Republics. After the mongols invasion that carried to the end of the Seldjuk Reign, Alanya was subject to several small Muslems kingdoms, until that, in 1471, it was annexed to the Ottoman Empire.

Alanya main attractions: The peninsula of Alanya is encircled from an imposing wall, inside of the walls of the castle are visible a tank of the Seldjuk age, a byzantine church, the palace of the Keykubat sultan and the ruins of the Seldjuk baths. The castle extends towards the sea and encloses also the port and the medieval arsenal defended from an octagonal tower 33 meters high, the Kızıl Kule or Red Tower.

Around Alanya are worthing a visit the Cavern of Damlatas, where can be admired interesting rocks formations. Not to lack is also a boat excursion to the marine coves Fosforlu Magara (Phosphorescent Cove), Kizlar Magarasi (Cove of the Women), and Asiklar Magarasi (Cove of the Lovers). Interesting are, 25 km to the west of Alanya, the beaches of Avsallar (Incekum), while on the opposite side, 30 km towards east from Alanya, on the road that goes to Gazipasa are the rests of the ancient port of Iotape, little beyond are those of Selinous. Beautiful is the road that goes from Gazipasa (cavern of Yalan Dunya Magarasi with natural swimming pools) along the sea until Anamur (castle of Mamure Kalesi, rests of Anemourion) and to Silifke.