Antalya occupies a magnificent site, with Karauioglu Park overlooking a beautiful harbor. Remains of Roman and Seljuk walls and buildings cascade down the side of the hill, and the narrow streets hold carpet shops, antique stores, jewelry and other distractions for the serious shopper.
Antalya was founded at a relatively late date in the 2nd century BCE by Attalus II of Pergamum and was peacefully acquired by Rome as part of the will of Attalus III. This Cilician coast, with numerous hidden harbors along a rugged coast was a perfect haven for pirates. Some of them even captured Julius Caesar and were finally subdued years later by Pompey in 67 BCE.
| Many of the small, local hotels are converted Ottoman ‘Konak’ house; sprawling series of buildings with hidden gardens, sitting rooms, some with and a reflecting pool. Roman and Byzantine capitals and columns reveal the earlier uses of the the site. |
The walking tour will also pass the symbol of Antalya, the Yivli Minaret (‘Fluted Minaret’) built by the Seljuk Sultan Alladin Keykubad in 1230 CE. The mosque was a converted Byzantine church and still shows Ionic and Corinthian columns.