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The road to Aspendos crosses the Kopru River over a Seljuk bridge.
The best preserved theater of antiquity -- with seating for 15,000
--dominates the site. Still used today, the theater's galleries, stage
decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect's success. Close by
stand the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in
Anatolia.
An important city of ancient Pisidia, Altinkaya (Selge), northwest of the
Koprulu Canyon National Park, is reached on a winding mountain road. The
city walls, towers, cisterns, a temple to Zeus, agora, stadium, theater,
gymnasium and necropolis remain from this commercial city that stood at
an elevation of 950 meters. Historians verify that Selge had direct trade
with Antalya, a relationship which brought it prosperity.
Although the Manavgat Waterfalls are not high, milky white, foaming
water rushes powerfully over the rocks. Next to the waterfalls, shady tea
gardens and restaurants make the falls a pleasant, cool rest spot, especially
welcome after a day of sightseeing. You can take a delightful boat trip up
the Manavgat river to explore further this lovely area.
Side, one of the best know classical sites in Turkey, was an ancient harbor
whose name meant pomegranate. Today a pretty resort town, its ancient
ruins, two sandy beaches, many shops and tourist accommodations attract
throngs of visitors. There are numerous cafes and restaurants with a view
of the sea and the shops which line the narrow streets sell typical Turkish
handicrafts. The magnificent theater of the ancient city, built on colonnaded
arches, is the largest in the whole area. Other monuments include the agora,
the Apollo Temple which is situated on the water, a fountain and necropolis.
The extensive Roman bath, now a museum, houses one of Turkey's finest
archaeological collections.
East of Side,tucked in pine forests the holiday resorts of Sorgun and
Titreyen Gol are both popular for their sandy beaches and sparkling sea.
The atmosphere is relaxed,the accomadations plentiful and the activities
endless.
West of Side,Kumkoy and Colakli also offer the sun and in close
proximity to ancient sites.
The 13th century caravanserai,Alarhan,was built by the Seljuk sultan
Alaaddin Keykubat on the banks of the Alara River.On the top of a
nearby hill the Alara Fortress commands a view of the whole area.
Selge
Northeast of Antalya, at the turn off for Tasagil and Beskonak, is the
scenic route that leads to the Koprulu Canyon Natlonal Park. The
twisting road crisscrosses over mountain streams and passes through virgin
forests. It is often a slow drive as the view from every turn is more
beautiful than the last. The park, 92 km from Antalya, is a valley of wild
beauty, rich in flora and fauna. The canyon stretches for 14 km along the
Kopru River and is 400 meters deep in some places. Fish restaurants
provision the rest areas. The Roman Oluk Bridge which spans the canyon and
the Bugrum Bridge over the Kocadere stream represent engineering feats of
antiquity. From this park you can make two possible excursions -- to the
ancient city of Selge and to the Dedegol Mountains. Dedegol, the highest
peak in this mountain range rises to 2992 meters.
Manavgat
Side
Alanya
The large popular resort center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky
promontory which juts out into the Mediterranen between two sandy
beaches. A 13th century Seljuk fortress,one of the most magnificient
sights on the coast crowns the headland.150 towers punctuate the walls
of the well preserved double-walked citadel.Within the outer walls
are ruins of mosques,a caravanserai and a covered bazaar;in the
inner walls are a ruined cistern and a Byzantine church.Although
Alanya's history dates back beyond Roman times,it rose to prominence
under the Seljuks when in 1220 Alaeddin Keykubat make it his winter
residence and naval base.The remaining buildings reflect the
importance of the city in Seljuk times.Besides the impressive citadel,
tourists should explore the unique dockyards and the octagonal Kizil
Kule(Red Tower).
Alanya is a beatiful holiday center of modern hotels and motels,
numerous fish restaurants and cafes.The cafes that ring the harbor have
become a popular gathering place for tourists.From the town's lovely
park,the road runs along the coast to the harbor lined with countless
boutiques which tempt tourists with handicrafts,leather,clothes,jewellery,
handbacks and the amusing painted gourds,a symbol of the area.In
August when Alanya hosts a colorful International Folklore Festival the
atmosphere is charged with vitality and gaiety.
If you enjoy exploring,you should visit the Damlatas Cave to see the
eerie misshapen rock formations.Nearby is the Archaeological and
Etnographical Museum.A boath can take you to the three sea grottoes:
Fosforlu Magara with it phosphorescent rocks,the Kizlar Magarasi
where pirates imprisoned their female captives and the Asiklar Magarasi.
When the intense sun overpowers you, take a day trip to the Dim Cayi
Vadisi,15 Km east of Alanya where you can relax in the shade of this
scenic valley and listen to the stream rushing by.
Avsallar,about 25 Km from Alanya to the west is a holiday resort center
with fine sandy beaches.If you travel east from Alanya towards
Gazipasa you will discover and no doubt linger on the exceptional
beaches.
