Mediterranean Coast
Mediterranean Coast of
Turkey offers outstanding ancient cities and stunning natural beauties. The
region between Gulf of Antalya and Iskenderun Gulf attracts great number of
visitors. The area is cut off from the Central Anatolia by impressive Tauros
chain, which gives access only at the certain points. This God-gifted region has
cotton, sesame, citrus fruits plantation. Located on the Gullu Dag, Termessos is
one of the most impressive and romantic ruins of the region. During the early
centuries, people of Termessos were called Solimians and they gained great
reputation as the great warriors of ancient times. First mention of Solimians
was during the Trojan War. They took part on the Trojan side. Second mention of
the Solimians was in the legend of Bellerophontes and Pegasus. Bellerofontes was
sent to king of Lycia who gave him very difficult tasks to accomplished. First
deed was to fight against great monster with lion head, goat body and snake tail,
Chimeira. This monster destroyed everything with its breath of fire. The hero
pinned it down. His second mission was to fight against the people of Solymians.
Termessus was fist under the Lydian and then under the Persian occupation.
People of Termessos defended their city against the attacks of Alexander the
great who eventually changed his mind and continued his campaign. He said that
he would not loose part of his army because of the eagle nest. He continued his
campaign in full speed. Another interesting event which was related to Alexander
time was the story of general Alketas. According to tradition, the city of Perge
was founded by Calchas and Mopsus, the heroes who took part at the Trojan war.
Those wandering Greeks trying to return home built few cities in ancient
Pamphilia. Although we do not know exact site of the early city, it is suggested
it was possibly situated on the flat hill beyond the city. The history of the
town starts Hellenistic Period. Two impressive towers date back to this period.
Visitors arriving to Perge first encounter with the Perge theatre. This great
theatre, which could accommodate 12000 people, is built on hillside. The
carvings of the stage building depict the scenes from the life Dyonisus, the god
of wine and theatre. His birth, his childhood and his youth. Another impressive
monument of the city is Roman stadium, which could hold 12.000 people. Athletic
games, wrestling, boxing, foot race were held in the stadium. After the theatre
ad the stadium, visitors arrive to late Roman gate. As soon as they got to other
side of Roman Gate, a great square waits for them. Multi-storied Monumental
fountain is situated on the left hand site. A colossal entry leading the Roman
Baths also draw our attention. Oldest and most impressive monuments in Perge are
famous Hellenistic towers. People of Perge, being so proud of their old
Hellenistic towers, they created a square between the late Roman gates and
Hellenistic towers. Using these two impressive towers, they also built horse-shoe
shaped entry to the city, decorated with the statues of the legendary founders
of the city and leading figures of the Perge. Visitors see the names of Plancia
Magna, a former priestess of the temple and great Roman official who constructed
a great number of monuments for the city of Perge. Starting from this monumental
gate, one enjoys one of the most beautiful streets of antiquity, a wide avenue
lined with coloums and shops and water canal which ran from the Hellenistic Gate
up to monumental fountain. Water cascaded from pool to pool and created most
beautiful effect on this coloumned street. The Agora, commercial market place,
which is surrounded by the line of shops, is situated near the columned avenue.
A circular monument, which draws our attention, is a temple dedicated to the
goddess of god luck, Fortuna.
Aspendos
Heroes who took part at
the Trojan War founded the city of Aspendos. The city gained great fame because
of the statues made in Aspendos and the salt exported from the nearby salt lake.
Many coins founded in the regions gives us great idea about the early history of
Aspendos. One of the important mentions of the city was during the time of the
Alexander the great. The people of Aspendos first welcomed the Macedonian
general and like people of Perge they were planning to surrender their city. But
they changed their mind. They carried all their belongings into the inner city
walls. Alexander got news while he was trying to capture Silyon. He was so upset
and attacked to Aspendos at full force. After capturing the city, he punished
the city of Aspendos and forced them to pay a great tribute, which included the
great horses of the city. Visitors can still enjoy great monuments of the city
over the acropolis. However, the monument, which draws the greatest interest and
visitors, is Aspendos theatre. Aspendos theatre, which is considered one of the
most preserved in the world, was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius the
second century AD. This fascinating edifice was designed and constructed by
architect Zenon whose name is inscribed on one of the side entrances. The
theatre, which still has its stage building at full height, could accommodate
nearly 20.000 people. Although it is the best-preserved Roman Theater, it is
built on the hillside. Visitors can enjoy the features of the Roman theatre in
Aspendos. The royal boxes are situated over the side entrances of the theatre.
The stage building, which was adorned with statues and columns, has still the
relief depicting the god of wine, Dionysus. The cracked figure of Dionysus
inspired the local people for creation of an interesting legend. According the
this local tradition, the king of Aspendos declared that whoever built the most
fascinating monument for the benefit of the city, he would permit his daughter
to get married with him. Therefore, two great monuments were built for the city
and two young architects finished them at the same time. The king could not
decide for the bridegroom and decided to split her daughter into two and give to
each suitor half of her body. The architect of the theatre who was madly in love
with king's daughter, he explained to the king instead of letting her to die, he
would draw back. King understood soon who loved her daughter most, he accepted
the architect of the theatre as his bridegroom. Second important structure is
aqueducts built during the Roman centuries. It was constructed by the family.
Manavgat
Alanya
Alanya, ancient
Coracesium, is one of the very popular towns on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. A
great Fortress crowning the summit of a rock hill impresses visitors. Ancient
Coracesion was a pirate city until Pompey the great captured it during his great
campaign against piracy. The fleet of pirates was burnt near Alanya, which was
one of the their strongholds. Romans presented the region to Cleopatra. During
the Byzantine centuries, Alanya was flourished, new churches and structures were
added. Second Golden Age of Alanya was Seljuk Period when impressive shipyards,
great fortress, and Red Tower were built. Alanya fortress has three enclosures.
Therefore, defenders always took shelter always in the inner walls of this
fortress. Great number of cisterns discovered at the fortress revealed that
defenders could defend their city quite long period.
Silifke
Located by Calicadnos
River and towered by an impressive fortress, Silifke is one of the colorful
towns of southern Turkey. The town, which was founded by Selecus I in the third
century BC, it was known as Celeusia ad Calycadnus. The former Byzantine
fortress, situated at the top of rock hill at the center of the town, is
transformed into a splendid fortress with 23 towers by the Knight of Rhodos.
Visitors can see a cistern and Ottoman mosque built by Sultan Bayezit during the
15th century. A Roman Bridge still spans the Calycadnos River. It was the same
river where Frederic Barbarossa, the leader of the Third Crusade, got drownded
in 1190 AD. This event ended the third Crusade. Famed for its folklore dances
known as spoon dance and traditional Turkish Yougurt, Silifke also offers great
number of ancient monuments in the town and around the town.
Tarsus
Tarsus, the birtplace
of Saint Paul, was great city on the major caravan and sea routes.
Adana
Adana In the center of
very flat and fertile plain lies the town of Adana, the cotton and citrus
capital of Turkey. Adana is the fifth largest city in Turkey. Archeological
research carried out near Adana reveals that history of Adana goes back
Perhistoric times. The Adana region is dotted with great Hitties cities and
monuments. The historical richness of the region is easly noticed in
archeological Museum of Adana. Adana is also birth place of Yasar Kemal, great
Turkish novelist. One of the surviving Roman Monuments id famous stone bridge
built by emperor Hadrian. This famous bridge, sole passageway towards Palestine
and Syria, witnessed the passage of many well known figures of the history. It
was restored during the 6th century. This Roman Bridge which is nearly 1000 feet
long and still keeps 14 of its original arches. A ruling family of Ottoman
centuries, Ramazanogullari left great architectural heritage in Adana. Ulu
Camii, Akca Mescit, Eski Camii are some of those monuments. Adana also houses
great numer of Bazaars and Turkish Baths. This great city of the southern coast.
Antioch
Althouh Antioch is
surrounded by many early historical mounds, the history of Antioch doesn' t go
beyond seleucid Period. During the campaing of Alexander the Great Amik Plain ws
full of nomadic tribes living in tents and made their living by cultivation,
looting and hunting. The first city was founded in 307 BC by Antogonus, but soon
Seleucos I had the city rebuilt on the banks of Orantes River. The city met all
the necessities of the seleucids Empire. It embraced Anatolia, the Valley the
Euprates, Iran and it was on the sea. The people of the nearby cities were
forced to come and settle in Antioch. This was done to increase the population
of the city. soon the city had four districts having theit own walls but having
a wall in common all around the city. Starting from its beginning the coty was
embellished with great monuments, statues. Antioch had a mosaic of people. There
were Macedonians, Jewish, Arameans and indigenious peoples of Anatolia. Soon the
population of Antioch, reached 500.000 people. It was the city of business and
at the same time it was city of pleasure. Because of nice climate, it also
attracted many rich, powerful people. Antioch and its temple for God Apollo and
festivals and games done in his honor was famous all over the Orient. Pompey the
Great, famous Roman general captured the city and declared as a free city.
Although, the city was shaken by terrible earthquakes in 37 A.D. and in 115 AD,
it continued to be a very important city because of its commercial, literary and
scientific activities. There was famous school of philosophy and even a group of
people who were the dissiples of Aristotle. In enviroment was also very siutable
for the spread of Christianity. After the crusifixion of Christ, many disiples
came to antioch. saint Peter, Barnabas ans Paul all came to Antioch. In spite of
persecutions, christianaty had its spread rapidly in Antioch. Towards the end of
Roman reign, there are were some sad events for the population of Antioch. When
Persian King Chapour I captured the Antioch, he forced the part of the
population to move to Susa. Second trouble came during the time of emperor
Diocletianus who systematicly persecuted Christians and destroyed the Christion
Churches. When Christian faith became official religion for the Roman empire
during the reigns of Contantine and Teodosius, a florishing period for Antioch
started. Then Antioch regained its former position as as a spirituel and
commercial leader of the Orient. When great arguments started for the
superiority of three major churches : Antioch, Caeseria and Costantinople,
antioch supported Arius and his doctirine. Although the doctirin of Arius was
rejected during the Niceae Ecumenical Council, the Bishop of Antioch sent a
letter to Pope and explained their support for Arius in 340 AD. In 526 AD, an
eartquake hit Antioch and killed 250.000 people, nearly the half of population
of the city. Few year later, anorher disaster Persian Occupation ruined the city.
Emperor Justinan recaptured the city. Antioch fell intoTurkish hands in ....but
this did not last long time. The Crusaders captured the city and Antioch stayed
under the Latin occupation till ...Antioch became Memluk soil in.
Saint Peters Grotto
A modern road leads you
to cave where early Christians used to meet. A church was built there during the
time of Crusaders. Visitors can still see the remains of a mozaic and a tunnel,
used to escape during the time of danger.
Mosaic Museum of
Antioch This fascinating museum of Antakya houses one of the collections of
Roman Mozaics in the world. These mosaics with unrivalled beauty were discovered
by Princton Univercity in ancient Antioch, in Alexandriatta, especially in Dapni,
resort town of ancient Antioch. There, they decorated the walls of magnificent
Roman Villas.
Charon Carving
Mosques in Antioch
