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The settlement of Adrasan is located 90 km west of Antalya at the northern end of the bay of the same name. It lies on a level alluvial plain linked to the sea by a narrow valley and surrounded by Mount Kuz and the Şapşal Mountains in the West and Mount Musa in the northeast. The Bay of Adrasan, formed at the point where this plain joins the sea, exhibits the character of a natural port and has been in use as a port, where ships of the City of Olympos were safely sheltered, since ancient times.
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Travelling westward from Demre to Kaş and reaching the main highway which after the 6th km heads towards the south, one arrives at the Sura Village consisting of a few houses by the side of the road. To the west of the village are the remains of the acropolis city Sura situated on top of the hill, 80 metres high. The name Sura is derived from the word “Soaura” which meant “great and sacred Swa/Soa” in the Luwian/Etruscan language. As a matter of fact, in ancient times, there used to be a temple dedicated to Men, the Anatolian Moon and Light god, and a centre for prophecy in the city. Apollon, formerly Men, was, as in the whole of Lycia, venerated in this area, too, and names of the temple and the centre for prophecy became “Apollon Soura”. According to Painus’ account, the monks in the prophecy temple used to dip pieces of fish on skewers in the water and prophesize according to the shapes of the fish within the water.
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To the west of the highway Antalya – Fethiye, after passing by the town Eşen and climbing up the village Minare 5 km to the south, one arrives at the remains of the ancient city Pınara. Obviously, the city was “Pinale”, a Luwian settlement, thousands of years old. The abundance of round form rocks in the south of the Cragus mountains and the meaning of the name Pinale being “round” in the original language confirm this thesis.
The population of Pinale which was established as an acropolis city increased with those returning from the Troian War and those immigrating from Xanthos. During the 6th century Pınara which was a leading city of the Lycian Federation was occupied by the Persians. In 334 B.C., on the other hand, it did not resist to Alexander. Later on, it was included in the Lycian Federation and minted its first coin. Even though it became semi-independent during the epoch of the Kingdom of Pergamum, it was subsequently annexed to the Roman lands. Pınara became the centre of bishopric in the Byzantine era. It declined in importance and was abandoned in the 9th century. Behind the acropolis walls forming a round site, water cisterns were built used to collect rainwater. On the mountain surface upwards hundreds of rock tombs and hollows of tombs are visible. Acropolis walls stand up to a height of 4 m at places. To the west of the agora square in the south-north direction there is a large building belonging to the city’s statesmen. Adjacent to the building, there is an odeon with 13 tiers of seats and a seating capacity of 700, enclosed with walls on four sides where both concerts were performed and the city council meetings were held.
The bathhouse was built of an interesting style. It consists of three adjoining chambers of square plan and an apse. It was constructed of a style rather unusual in Lycia. The theatre was built outside of the city walls. It had a seating capacity of 5 thousand and its 27 caveas were built upon a rocky mass. There are 10 vertical flights of steps on them. Opening from the long and thin stage building of square plan into the orchestra there are five doors with columns of Doric order visible at the sides of the doors. It appears that the city walls were restored at places during the Byzantine era. During this era an episcopal church was also constructed of square plan and with a single apse.
Category: Districts of Antalya, Places | 0 Comments
Serik is a town and district in Antalya Province of Turkey, 38 km east of the city of Antalya, along the Mediterranean coast.
Geography:
Towards the coast the district is mainly flat farmland, used for growing vegetables, while the inland half of Serik is forested hills and the Taurus Mountains. The district has a typical Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters, and the natural vegetation is dry shrubs.
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Kumluca is a district of Antalya Province on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, part of the Turkish Riviera. Kumluca is located 90 km west of the city of Antalya, on the Teke Peninsula, (between the bays of Antalya and Fethiye).
The town of Kumluca, formerly the village of Sarıkavak, is named for its sandy soil (kum meaning sand in Turkish}, good for growing watermelons.
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Korkuteli is a district of Antalya Province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, 56 km north-west of the city of Antalya.
Etymology:
The town was the Pisidian Isinda, then the Ancient Roman Istanoz, then later named Korkuteli after Korkut, prince of the Ottoman Empire, who was murdered by his brother Selim I while trying to hide in a cave in the district.
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