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THE RED
TOWER
The
33-metre tall tower was built in order to keep the harbor under
surveillance at all times. The technique used in its construction, its
floor plan and its construction, its floor plan and its durability make
this monumental tower one of the most prominent Seljuk monument. The
octagonal tower built on rocky terrain has a diameter of 29
meters.
This
durable thick mortar was used in almost all of the Seljuk towers.
Although the stones in certain sections have crumbled down, the mortar
still remains intact. The tower was named after Sultan Alaaddin
Keykubat when it was first built, but later it was renamed the red
tower due to the red bricks used in the construction. Many
architectural pieces dating back to the ancient times were used in its
construction. Especially the ancient column shafts used horizontally in
the construction of the facade give the tower an unusual appearance.
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As
the promontory where the fortress is situated is not easily accessible
either from sea or land it was not inhabited continually throughout the
history. It was surrounded by city walls first during the Hellenistic
era and later new additions were constructed according to the demands
of the time. The monumental fortress of Alanya is truly the sturdiest
and the most splendid of all fortresses in Anatolia today. The oldest
known inscriptions too, it may be assumed that the whole fortress was
built by Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat ı between 1226-1232.According to the
inscription on it, the octagonal structure known today as the Red Tower
(Kızıl Kule) was the first structure built by the Seljuk's in Alanya
and it is the
key point of the fortress. The defense line that starts here, in
accordance with the topography of the land ascends in a zigzagging
manner although not always regularly. After a certain distance it joins
a complex of buildings called Ehmedek, which was built, on top of a
Hellenistic tower. The city wall, which turns southward after Ehmedek
and descends, in order, to Adam Atacağı Cilvarda Burnu, Arab Evliyası
Tower, Esad Tower and then by Tophane and Tersane, ends where it
starts, at the red Tower.
Since
the land between the Red Tower and Ehmedek is not so steep, in order to
slow down attacks from the north, curtain walls were built outside the
main city walls, in many places ditches were dug in the bedrock at the
first lien of defense against attacks. The first lien of the fortress
must have been considered secure since no such defense elements were
used. One-hundred-forty towers are seen on top of the city walls that
stretch a total of 6400 meters. These walls and towers, built with
stone and mortar, had embrasures, holes to pour out hot oil and ramps
to facilitate the movements of the soldiers in the fortress. The
fortress was entered through the arched main gates with inscriptions on
them. There were also smaller auxiliary gates. |
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KIZILKULE |
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Today, only a few of these gates are in good state of preservation. The
fortress of Alanya, as observed on the map, may be divided into three
sections based on the city walls and various defense lines. Dışkale
(the outer Fortress) in the area surrounded by the walls that extend
through Kızıl Kule, Ehdemek, Arab Evliyası, Tophane and then reach
Kızıl kule again. Kızıl Kule, Tersane and Tophane are the most
prominent Seljuk monuments in Alanya. Ortakale (the middle fortress) in
the area surrounded by Ehdemek, Arab Evliyası and the walls of the
outer fortress. Seljuk monuments such as the Akşebe Mausoleum, baths
and a building complex know as Ehdemek, as well as Ottoman Monuments
such as the Süleymaniye Mosque, the hostel, the marketplace,and a late
Byzantine chapel called Arab Evliyası are located in the Middle
fortress. Iç kale (the inner Fortress) located on the highest point in
the northwestern corner, of the promontory is the last shelter and
point of defense. The area surrounded by high walls resembles a falcon
crest and it was used for military purposes Seljuk monuments like
palaces of the sultans and other important people, military
establishments, training schools, cisterns as well as a church lasted
to the late Byzantine era are found in the Inner Fortress. There is
also an interesting little corner know as Adam Atacağı. |
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TERSANE (THE SHIPYARDS) |
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Situated
to the south of the Red Tower, right by the sea, there is a covered
building where the big warships of the age were built in complete
security. After Sinop on the black sea coast, the Seljuk's used this
Shipyard as a naval base and sailed the Mediterranean. Following the
construction of these dockyard, Alaaddin Keykubat ı received the title
"Sultan of the two seas " The rectangular structure measures 40 by 57
meters and consists of vaulted galleries where ships were built. The
galleries are connected to each other by four pointed-arches. It's
facade and all the weight-carrying elements are built of large, cut
stone blocks, and the vaults of baked bricks. |
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THE DAMLATAŞ
CAVE |
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Located
at the western foot of the Fortress of Alanya, the Damlataş Cave is one
of those rare caves in Anatolia which is under management, it appeals
to Turkish as well as foreign tourists since the air in the cave is
beneficial to asthmatics, and it is easily accessible from the center
of the city. It was discovered in 1948 quite by accident, it formed as
semi-crystallized limestone from the Permian period of the Paleozoic
Age was shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It is approximately
100 meters from the sea and in relation to below the entrance. There
are many stalactites, stalagmites and columns decorating everywhere in
the halls. Following the rumors that asthmatics benefited from
breathing the air in the cave, scientists analyzed a sample of the air
to verify the fact that the air was indeed beneficial to patients
suffering from non-allergic asthma.
They found that the air in the
cave contains 10to 12 times more carbon dioxide than normal air and has
90 to 100 % humidity. Temperature in the cave is 22 C. Both the
radioactivity and ionization in the cave may contribute to the benefits
derived from breathing the air in the cave. |
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The Citadel of Alara |
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The Citadel of Alara was built in 1232, 37 kilometres westward from Alanya on the demand of Alaaddin Keykubat, the Sultan of Selcuks and it is 9 kilometres far from the sea. The aim of the citadel that was on the Silk Road was to protect the crowds stopped at the inn near the Alara creek. It's built on a steep hill of 200 meters up to 500. It looks magnificent. It consists of an inner and outer part. A dark entrance-hall of 120 steps enters the citadel. It is important to be careful about the wild plants and ruins, since it is not organized as a place to be visited. There are tunnels made by carving rock in the citadel. There is a small palace, the rooms of the workers, a mosque and a Turkish bath in the ruins. Those who would like to go to the top of the citadel through the walls and paths have to climb at least one hour and be equipped properly. However, the view from the top is worth climbing. |
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THE ALARA FORTRESS |
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A
little further from the Şarapsa Hostel, at the and of the 9 km long
road that separates northward from the main road is the Alara separates
northward from the main road is the Alara Stream which runs through a
deep, narrow valley. On one side of the stream, on a rocky cliff stands
the Alara Fortress. Behind the fortress, this is steep cliff down to
the stream. The Alara stream, which originates between the mountains
covered with green frosts runs at he foot of the cliff below the
fortress and serpentines towards the sea. |
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ALARAHAN (THE ALARA
HOSTEL) |
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Alara
Hostel was the second hostel after Şarapsa on the way from Alaiye to
Antalya and Konya. It is an unusual Seljuk monument since it also
served a religious function as a place where certain dervishes lived in
seclusion. The rectangular structure measures 38 by 50 meters and
except for its esteem facade, it is constructed of cut stones. Various
signs identifying the master stonecutters are seen on these cut stones.
Rectangular and triangular pillars support the three facades of the
structure. The plain portal with a low arch, in the middle of the
northern facade, is the entrance to he hostel. Above the entrance there
is an inscription of six lines in Arabic. Relieves of two schematic
lion heads decorate the inscription. |
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IOTAPE |
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The
33 km. long modern road that stretches along the coast between Alanya
and Gazipaşa passes through the remains o Iotape. Although these ruins
date back to the Roman and Byzantine eras it is possible that the city
was named Iotape by the king Antiochus IV (38-72 A.D.) after his wife
Queen lotape.It is known that during the reign of Antiochos IV, in some
of the cities in the neighbouring state of Cilicia coins honoring Queen
lotape and their sons Epiphanes and Callinicus were minted. Coins were
also minted in Iotape during the Roman Empire from the time of Emperor
Trajan the Roman Empire from the Emperor Valerian (270-275). On the
front side of these coins is the bust of the emperor and on the
backside is a description of Apollo, Tyche or Perseus.Iotape is
situated by a small natural harbor on the western side of which there
is a rocky cape 60 meters wide and 30 meters high. The cape, which is
surrounded by walls, like a fortress, guarded the harbor against
attacks from land and sea on the cape there are remains of Roman and
Byzantine structures but they are in such a bad condition that it is
impossible to have an idea about their floor plans. |
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ALANYA ARCHELOGICAL
MUSEUM |
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In
this museum, which started to operate in the year 1967,many monuments
from the Bronze Age, Urartu, Phrygia and Lydia and belonging to the
Hellenistic and Roman period it is opened every day between 8 a.m.-12
a.m./1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and the entrance is due to payment Tel: 5131228 |
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THE HOUSE AND MUSEUM OF ATATÜRK |
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This
building was constituted in the beginning of this century and in 18
February 1935,Atatürk remained in this house and after the owner of the
house donated it to the Ministry it was opened to service as the house
and Museum of Atatürk It is opened every day between 8 a.m. 12 a.m./ 1
p.m. 5 p.m. and the entrance is due to payment Tel: 5133254 |
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HASBAHÇE
COTTAGE |
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This
cottage, which was organized as a resting and hunting place during if
Alaaddin Keykubat, there are many ruins of villas, baths, cisterns,
pool for the for the irrigation and surrounding walls. It is in the
Hasbahçe quarter. |
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SELJUKIANS
MADRASAH |
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This
madrasah, which was constituted by Alaaddin Keykubat during the year
1232 on a hill at Obaköy, is an example of the Seljuk's handmade arts
and education institutes. |
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ŞARAPSA (SERAPSU)
INN |
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This
inn is a Seljuk's monument, constituted between the 1234-1246,There is
also a small mosque at the east side of it .It is 15 km. Away from
Alanya, on the road of Antalya. |
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SYEDRA ANTIQUE
CITY |
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This
city was constituted during the 3 Century B.C. and there are the ruins
of baths, roads, grave with fresco signs and the ruins of a palace On
the ground of the bath at the East or the cite ruins of mosaics. It is
8 km. Away from tours Alanya inside the Mahmutlar Town. You can reach
until Mahmutlar Town by public taxis, and then continue by taxi or by a
special from Alanya. |
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LEARTES ANTIQUE
CITY |
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It
is constituted on the 850 meter of the Cebelireis Mountain, 25 km away
from Alanya. You can go there by taxi or by special tours. |
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TABLELANDS DERE & TÜRBELINAS :
This
is settlement constituted on a mountain, which has a height of about
1000 meters, at Toros Mountains 30 km away from Alanya. The tableland
is constituted by two settlements named Gedevet and Pınarbaşı. You can
reach taxi or special tours.
MAHMUTSEYDI TABLELAND:
This is the tableland most frequently visited by the local people. It is 25 km away from Alanya
TÜRKTAŞ
TABLELAND:
This is the tableland near the Türbelinas Tableland established on the
high parts of Toros Mountains, and has beautiful mountain views and
picnic opportunities. |
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SEASHORES AND NATURAL BEACHES
INCEKUM FOREST RESTING CAMPING:
This
is natural seashore 30 km. away from Alanya, on the road of Antalya
where forests of pines reaches the sea with a shallow watered sea
camping and picnic opportunities and beaches. The entrance is due to
the payment. You can reach there Yeşilköy and Manavgat, by buses going
to Antalya, or by taxi or by special tours.
ULAŞ ROADWAY RESTING CAMPING BEACH:
This is 5 km away from Alanya on the roadway of Antalya This is also a
picnic place. The entrance is due to payment you can reach there by
public busses by public busses going to Konaklı, Avsallar, Türkler,
Türktaş, Yeşilköy and Manavgat, by buses going to Antalya by taxi or by
special tours.
CLEOPATRA BEACH:
This is a beach looking like a small pool, placed in the Alanya cape
near the Korsanlar grounded by the rocks. It is opened to the public.
The umbrellas and the beds here are due to payment. There are sandwich
buffets.
DAMLATAŞ BEACH:
It is near the Cleopatra beach, going towards the West for about the
entrance is free; the umbrellas and the beds are due to payment. There
are sandwich buffets.
EASTERN BEACH:
This beach continues for many kilometers from the city Centrum of
Alanya to the East, towards Mersin .It is opened to the public. The
umbrellas and the beds here are due to payment. There are Sandwich
buffets.
DIM BROOK PICNIC AREA:
This is 15 km at the Northeast of the city. This is a beautiful picnic
area with many trees omamanting untains and abundant waters. In
addition, there are many restaurants where you can find alive trout
fishes. You can go there by taxi or special tours.
SEA CAVES:
These are the caves located in the Southwestern side of Alanya
peninsula and they have many natural and geological beauties. They have
different names as Korsanlar (Pirates) Aşıklar (lovers), and Fosforlu
Mağara (Phosphoric cave)
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Alanya Alanyasta, Alanyasta in belek, Alanyasta, property Alanyasta
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