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Alanya
Kizil Kule
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Damlatas Cave, Alanya
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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 Aianya 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. |
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