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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.
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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