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Antalya is the capital city of the Antalya Province, located on the Gulf of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The population of the city is 603,190 (2000 census) but reaches up to 2 million in summers at the height of the tourist season. Situated on a steep cliff, Antalya is a picturesque city surrounded by mountains, forests, mediterranean sea and many ancient ruins; with one notable archaeological museum. Recent developments in tourism sector, starting in the 1970s, have transformed the city into an international resort centre. With its airport and central location, it is a gateway for Turkey's coastal resorts which earned it the title of "the capital of Turkish tourism".

Today the city of Antalya has been transformed into a cultural and touristic hub with thematic hotels and historical sites in and around the city. Kaleici, the rustic ancient town where historic Turkish and Greek houses are under protection, is the most popular center in Antalya. Old houses that are separated by narrow, cobble-stone roads are now hotels and tourism-related shops. Traces of Lycian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and culture can still be seen. Also Antalya museums house the finds belonging to historic ages of Anatolia.

Konyaalti and Lara coasts inside the city are well known to have the cleanest sea in the whole Mediterranean region because of the great mass of rock where the city was built naturally purifies the sea.

Etymology

In the 1st century BC, the Pergamum king Attalos II ordered his men to find "heaven on earth". After a long search all over the world, they discovered this land and said "This must be 'Heaven' " and King Attalos founded the city giving it the name "Attaleia" (Greek: Αττάλεια) which later became Adalia and then Antalya.

History

Evidence of human habitation dating back to early paleolithic age (150,000-200,000) years has been discovered in the Carain caves, 30 km to the north of Antalya city. Other finds dating back to Neolithic times and more recent periods show that the area has been populated by various ancient civilisations throughout the ages.

Records from the Hittite period refer to the area as part of the "Lukka Lands" (from which "Lycia" is derived) and document the lively interaction going on between provinces in the second millennium BC. Like their descendents, the Lukkans or Lycians were known for their seamanship (especially their piracy) and demonstrated a fiery independent spirit. Neither the Hittites, nor the kingdom of Arzawa on the west coast, could ever keep them at peace for long.

Historical records document how cities developed independently, how the area as a whole came to be called Pamphylia and how in Classical times a federation of cities was set up in the province. There are also tales of the migration of the Akha clan to the area after the Trojan war.

Antalya had entered the sovereignty of Lydian Kingdom from 7th century BC. The reign of the kingdom of Lydia in west Anatolia came to an end in 560 BC after it was defeated by the Persians during the battle of Sardis in 546 BC. The Macedonian commander Alexander the Great stoped the Persian rule and in around 334 BC Alexander the Great conquered the cities of the area one by one - except for Termessos and Sillyon which managed to repulse his armies in 333 BC. Antalya itself was founded later. With the death of Alexander in 323 BC, a long battle erupted between his commanders that lasted until 188 BC.

With the defeat of the Seleucid army at Apamaea began the reign of the kingdon of Pergamom. In 150 BC Attalos II, king of Pergamom, founded the city of Attalia [present day Antalya) to base his powerful naval fleet. When Attalos III, the last king of Pergamom, died in 133 BC he left his kingdom to the Romans. After that an era starts in the region that the pirates and small cities belonging to pirates play a major role. Christianity started to be spread in the region after 2nd century. During the Byzantine sovereignty, it is known that Antalya had a big development era until 5th and 6th centuries. In these centuries, Antalya had reached beyond the city walls. Starting from 7th century, the Muslim Arabs had started to be dominant in the region. The army of Louis VII. sailed thence for Syria in 1148, and the fleet of Richard of England rallied there before the conquest of Cyprus. Between the years 1120-1206, Antalya had agained passed under the sovereignty of Byzantines. Antalya played a considerable part in the medieval history of the Levant. Kiliç Arslan had a palace there.

Conquered by the Seljuk Turks of Konia in 1207 A.D. and then Alanya in 1220 A.D. ending the Byzantine rule for the last time, and made the capital of the province of Tekke, it passed after their fall through many hands, including those of the Venetians and Genoese, before its final occupation by the Ottoman Turks under Murad II. (1432).

The Arabic traveller Ibn Battuta who came to the city in between 1335-1340 noted:

From Alaya I went to Antaliya , a most beautiful city. It covers an immense area, and though of vast bulk is one of the most attractive towns to be seen anywhere, besides being exceedingly populous and well laid out. Each section of the inhabitants lives in a separate quarter. The Christian merchants live in a quarter of the town known as the Mina , and are surrounded by a wall, the gates of which are shut upon them from without at night and during the Friday service. {4}. The Greeks, who were its former inhabitants, live by themselves in another quarter, the Jews in another, and the king and his court and mamluks in another, each of these quarters being walled off likewise. The rest of the Muslims live in the main city. Round the whole town and all the quarters mentioned there is another great wall. The town contains orchards and produces fine fruits, including an admirable kind of apricot, called by them Qamar ad-Din, which has a sweet almond in its kernel. This fruit is dried and exported to Egypt, where it is regarded as a great luxury.

In the 18th century, in common with most of Anatolia, its actual lord was a Dere Bey. The family of Tekke Oglu, domiciled near Perga, though reduced to submission in 1812 by Mahmud II., continued to be a rival power to the Ottoman governor till within the present generation, surviving by many years the fall of the other great Beys of Anatolia. The records of the Levant (Turkey) Company, which maintained an important agency here till 1825, contain curious information as to the local Dere Beys. The population as of 1911 of Antalya, which included many Christians and Jews, then living, as in the middle ages, in separate quarters, the former round the walled mina or port, was about 25,000. The port was served by coasting steamers of the local companies only. Antalya(then Adalia) was an extremely picturesque, but ill-built and backward place. The chief thing to see was the city wall, outside which runs a good and clean promenade and which survives to this day. The government offices and the houses of the better class were all outside the walls.

The brief occupation of the area by the Italians came to an abrupt end after the First World War with the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The area is now registered as a province of the Republic of Turkey.

A notable historical figure who visited Antalya was Paul of Tarsus, as recorded in the biblical book, the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:25-26), wherein Antalya is referred to as Attalia. St. Paul and St. Barnabas went to Antalya and sailed from there to Antioch after preaching in the Pisidia and Pamphylia regions.

Climate

The climate in Antalya bears the Mediterranean climate features. The mild weather conditions offer holiday possibilities in all seasons. Sometimes you can experience four seasons in one day in Kemer. 300 days of the year are sunny. This causes Antalya to be one of the few cities in Turkey to use solar systems for energy needs of buildings.

In summer time it is rainless and hot. In winter time it is rainy and mild. No snow falls to the coastline of the district. The mountains in the north and the mild wind from the south are reasons why it usually goes never below 10 °C in this region. With the exception of a few weeks of rainy days, the seawater, which goes even in winter not below 15 °C allows you to benefit from the sea all year long.

• Rainy season: from October to April, dry in the summer
• Avg. Temp. in Spring: max.: 17 – 25 °C ( 63 - 77 °F ); min: 7 - 14 °C ( 45 - 57 °F )
• Avg. Temp. in Summer: max.: 30 – 33 °C ( 86 - 92 °F ); min: 19 - 22 °C ( 66 - 72 °F )
• Avg. Temp. in Autumn: max.: 20 – 31 °C ( 68 - 88 °F); min: 10 - 18 °C ( 50 – 64 °F )
• Avg. Temp. in Winter: max.: 14 – 15 °C ( 57 - 59 °F); min: 5 - 6 °C ( 41 - 43 °F )
• Watertemperature: in summer around 29 °C (85 °F) in winter about 17 °C (63 °F)

Festivals

• Antalya Festival

Where: Antalya When: 12-29 September, 18 days

• Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival

Where: Antalya When: Last week of September

• Mediterranean International Music Festival

Where: Antalya When: 5-11 October, 6 days

• Antalya Honey Festival

Where: Gündogmus When: 15 August, 1 day

• International Folk Music and Dance Festival Competition

Where: Antalya When: Last week of August

• International Aspendos Opera and Ballett Festival

Where: Aspendos When: 10 June, 22 July

• Antalya Piano Festival

Where: Ataturk Cultural Center When: 20-26 October

• Antalya Painting Festival

Where: Ataturk Cultural Center

When: 2 7 September

• Beachpark Rock Festival

Where: Antalya Beachpark When: 17-19 October

• Kas-Demre Festival

Where: Kas-Demre When: 4-8 December, 5 days

• Mediterranean Golden Orange Wrestling

Where: Kumluca When: 18-20 May, 3 days

Fairs

• Anfaş Food Product Fair

Where: Antalya Expo Center When: 21-24 February

Night Life

Antalya pulses after dark with what is undeniably the Turkish south coast’s liveliest and craziest nightlife, centred on a wide variety of clubs and bars. Most bars double as discos, and most of the hotels offer floor shows, usually with belly-dancing, that are open to non-guests. The hottest spots for all night dancing are Club Ally, Club Arma (old Club 29) and Club Ceila but those who just want a quiet, cool drink gravitate to the waterfront bars in Kaleiçi to catch a sea breeze.

Konyaalti Beach Park and Lara Beach

The Beach Park facilities has many clubs and bars. The beach clubs that serve at day time turn into night clubs with the sunset.

Transportation

• By Air: The Antalya International Airport connects the city to most capitals of the world. Between the airport and the city center the Airport Service Bus is in use.

Airlines (Listing of Airlines servicing Antalya)

• By Bus: The bus system has transportation to almost every city in Turkey which depart from the Antalya Bus Station(Otogar).
• By Ferry

The Antalya-Venice Ferryboat line is currently in use. The expansion of routes of Highspeed ferries are currently being worked on.

Innercity Transportation:

• Bus: The bus system has access to almost all the parts of the city.
• Dolmus:

Dolmus literally means "filled up". Dolmus is a large cab, a station wagon, a regular taxi or a minibus hat travels a certain route. Most major public transportation stations have a dolmus station, where you just take a seat in the dolmus that travels your desired route. The driver will wait until the dolmus is full, before the journey begins. Passengers pay according to the distance traveled and can get in and out whenever and wherever they want to by informing the driver. It is a very practical means of transport and much cheaper than a taxi. The dolmus fares are determined by municipalities according to distances.

• Taxis:

Taxis are numerous all over Turkey and are recognizable by their yellow color and lighted "taxi" signs on top. Each taxi is metered and there are two different rates. After midnight (24:00) till morning (06:00) it will cost 50% more than the daytime fare.

• Tramway:

The single tram line starts at the Antalya Museum, Antalya Beach Park (at Konyaalti Beach), and the Sheraton Voyager and Falez hotels in the west, and runs eastward along the main boulevard to the city center at Kalekapisi. Then it turns right (south) and passes Hadrian's Gate and Karaalioglu Park before passing near the deluxe Talya Oteli and ending near Lara Plaj (Beach) to the east.

There are only two trains. They run along a single track, passing at a short length of double track near Kalekapisi.

Both trains depart on the hour and half-hour from the termini (east and west), and reach Kalekapisi between 10 and 15 minutes later. The one-way fare is under $1.

Tourist Attractions

Sites of Interest in the city

Kaleici: It is the historical center of the city which embraced many civilizations during time. It is now restored and has became the most attractive touristic centre with its hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping. Kaleici retains all the original ancient archaeological characteristics. The port's marina has been completely restored. The restoration activities in Kaleici won the Golden Apple Prize, the Oscar of tourism.

The City Walls: The memorial Hadrian Arch and The Clock Tower are remarkable and date back to Hellenistic era.

Antalya Museum: A prize winning museum and one of the most notable archaeology museums, of the world. It is also the only museum in Turkey with a children's department exhibiting ancient monuments appealing to children.

Kaleiçi Museum: Opened by the Mediterranean Civilizations Research Center (Akdeniz Medeniyetleri Araştırma Merkezi) it is newly opened and already has a very rich collection.

Hadrian's Gate: This ornamental marble arch was constructed in 2nd century BC by the Romans in honour of the Emperor Hadrian.

Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret): Once a Byzantine Panaglia church, later converted into a mosque.

Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret): This fluted minaret of 13th century was built by the Seljuks. Decorated with dark blue and turquouise tiles, the minaret eventually became the symbol of the city.

Karatay Medresesi, Hidirlik Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque and Osman Efendi Mosque are other important places in the city.

"Han"s are Seljuk or Ottoman inns which have architectural significance. Some of them are the Evdir Han, Klrkoz Han, Alara Han and Castle and Sarapsu (Serapsu) Han.

• Lara Beach Park
• Karpuzkaldıran
• Konyaaltı Beach Park
• Duden Falls
• Kursunlu Falls
• Manavgat Waterfall
• Köprülü Canyon
• Düzler pine forest
• Saklikent Ski Resort
• Tünek Tepe

Historic sites and Ruins around the city

See Antalya Province for the complete list of all ancient cities in the Region.

Aspendos: One of the most important Pamphilian cities. It is situated on the point where the Kopru River meets the sea. Once an important port and a commercal centre, it has a reputation for raising the best horses on earth. The odeon, basilica, galleria and fountains are worth seeing.

Termessos: It is a Pisidyan city situated high on a mountain with remnants of an agora, theatre and an odion. It has a reputation of being the most magnificent necropolis on the Mediterranean, 35 km northwest of Antalya.

Ariassos: At a distance of 48 Km. along the Antalya Burdur highway and before arriving at the village Dag, turn left and Ariassos is reached 1 Km. further on. A city of antiquity, Ariassos was built in a valley and could survey its surroundings. The gate, the baths, the rock tombs and the mausoleum are almost intact.

Olympos National Park: Olympos is an ancient Lycian city 90 km southwest of Antalya city near the Town of Kemer.

Perge: 18 km northeast of Antalya. The ruins are spread on two hills, the theatre on one and the acropolis on the other. According to the legend the city was built by three heroes from Troy.

Phaselis: A Lycian city 54 km southwest of Antalya.

Sillyon: 34 km from Antalya on the Alanya direction. It is situated between Aspendos and Perge and dates back to 4th.century BC.

Sagalassos: An ancient pisidian town 100 km north of Antalya.

Economy

The main stones of the economical structure of Antalya is tourism, agriculture, commerce and industry. In the city which has a wide range of agricultural production from citriculture to forcing vegetables, from cotton to flower growth, most of the people earn their income from tourism and agriculture. (Specially famous with its Orange and Banana)

Main growth and development of Antalya started in the Republic era. Its nature, suitable climate conditions increased the migration to the city. While the town population was 17.635 in 1927, 27.515 in 1950, 50.908 in 1960, it reached 95.616 in 1970. The population which was 258.139 in 1980, reached 1.719.751 in the year 2000. While the migrations caused new districts in the city, it fastened the construction sector. The agriculture sector which showed development parallel with tourism, it caused transportation sector to be developed with itself. Antalya City is a sub-regional centre controlling mainly commercial, agricultural economic activities in its hinterland.

Sister cities

Antalya has 8 sister cities (aka "twin towns"):

• Austin, Texas, USA
• Bat Yam, Israel
• Cheboksary, Chuvashia, Russia
• Famagusta, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
• Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia
• Nuremberg, Germany
• Rostov-Na-Donu, Russia
• Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan

Famous people from Antalya

alphabetical order

• Tarık Akıltopu - Architect, Historian, Poet, Writer
• Cafercan Aksu - Football player
• Nurdan Arca - Movie Director
• Deniz Baykal - leader of Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP)
• Turgut Cansever - Famous Turkish architect
• Baki Süha Edipoğlu - Writer, Poet
• Şener Kökkaya - Actor
• Saint Nicholas - also known as Santa Claus, lived in the ancient town of Myra
• Özgürcan Özcan - Football player
• Rüştü Reçber - Football player
• Menderes Türel - Politician, current mayor of Antalya
• Levent Yüksel - Musician, Composer
• Lütfi Ünsal - Headmaster, TED College Antalya Branch

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
• XVIII. International symposium on excavation,research and arkeometry , The importance of Anatolian Peleolitic under the light of 1985-1995 Karain excavations , Dr.Kadriye ÖZÇELİK,Işın Yalçınkaya and others. (27 May 1996)
• XXVI. International symposium on excavation,research and arkeometry , 2003 Karain excavations , Dr.Kadriye ÖZÇELİK,Işın Yalçınkaya and others. (24 May 2004)

Notes

1. Quoted from Web page:
2. See and
3. See The lemon is still called Addaliya in Egypt.
4. Wikisource EB1911

External links

• WikiSatellite view of Antalya at WikiMapia
• Governorship of Antalya
• Metropolitan Municipality of Antalya
• Ministry of Tourism Pages
• Antalya Weather Forecast Information (Turkish Meteorology Service)
• Detailed Weather Forecast
• Ministry of Tourism Pages
• Setur Antalya Yacht Marina
• Antalya Website
• Website of TUBITAK National Observatory in Antalya for the eclipse on March29
• Various Antalya pictures from Wowturkey
• Wowturkey Antalya photos forum category (In Turkish)
• Antalya picture Album
• Website of Antalya
• Historic Antalya photos
• Pictures of Kaleiçi
• Pictures of this city

Template:Districts of Antalya

• Anatolia
• Port cities in Turkey
• Coastal cities
• Archaeological sites in Turkey
• Turkish Riviera
• Ancient Greek cities