 |
Alanya
|
Alanya, Kizil Kule |
The large popular resort
center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory which juts out
into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches. A 13th century
Seljuk fortress-one of the most magnificent sights on the coast-crowns
the headland. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of the well-
preserved, double walled 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 to Roman times, it rose to prominence under the Seljuks, when in
1220, Alaeddin Keykubat made it his winter residence and naval base. The
surviving 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 beautiful holiday
center of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes
and bars. The cafes that ring the harbor have become popular gathering
places for tourists. From the town's lovely park, the road runs along
the coast to the harbor, lined with countless boutiques that tempt
tourists with handicrafts, leather, clothes, jewelry, handbags 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 Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, (Open
weekdays except Monday). A boat can take you to the three sea
grottoes:Fosforlu Magara with its phosphorescent rocks, the Kizlar
Magarasi, where pirates imprisoned their female captives, and the
Asiklar Magarasi.
|
Damlatas Cave, Alanya |
| When the intense sun
overpowers you, take a day trip to the Dim Cayi Valley, 15 km east of
Alanya, where you can relax in the shade of this scenic valley and
listen to the stream rushing by. Avsallar (incekum), 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. 30 km east of Alanya, Aytap,
the historical harbor city Lotape, is a great excursion site, with Roman
ruins, secluded beaches and bays. |
|
|