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The Mediterranean Region
Antalya, The Turkish Riviera
 In
Antalya, the pine-clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down
to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline
of rocky headlands and secluded coves. The region, bathed
in sunshine for 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sunbathing,
swimming, and sporting activities like windsurfing, water-skiing,
sailing, mountain climbing and caving. If you come to Antalya
in March and April, you can ski in the mornings and in the
afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
Important historical sites and beautiful mosques await your
discovery, amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus
groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations.
The Turkish Riviera is Turkey's tourism capital. Its full
range of accommodations, from tourist class to deluxe hotels,
and the hospitable people of Antalya will make your holiday
comfortable and enjoyable. Set amid amazing scenery of sharp
contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort, is
an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and
a prize-winning marina. In the picturesque old quarter,
Kaleiçi, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses
abut the ancient city walls.
 Since
its founding in the second century B.C. by Attalos II, a
king of Pergamon, who named the city Attaleia after himself,
Antalya has been continuously inhabited. The Romans, Byzantines
and Seljuks successively occupied the city before it came
under Ottoman rule. The elegant, fluted minaret of the Yivli
Minareli Mosque in the center of the city, built by the
Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century, has
become Antalya's symbol. The Karatay Medrese (theological
college) in the Kaleiçi district, from the same period,
exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carving. The two most
important Ottoman mosques in the city are the 16th century
Murat Pasa Mosque, remarkable for its tile decoration, and
the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque. Neighbouring
the marina, the attractive late 19th century Iskele Mosque
is built of cut stone and set on four pillars over a natural
spring. The Hidirlik Kulesi (tower) probably was originally
constructed as a lighthouse in the second century. The Kesik
Minaret Mosque attests to the city's long history in its
succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman renovations.
When Emperor Hadrian visited Antalya in 130 A.D. a beautifully
decorated three-arched gate was built into the city walls
in his honour. Near the marina the two towers flanking the
gate and other sections of the walls still stand. The clock
tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's
fortifications.
In the Atatьrk and Karaalioglu Parks, with their colorful
exotic flowers and the bay's shimmering water in front of
you and the mountains behind, you will have no doubt why
Antalya has become such a popular resort. And Aqua Park,
on the eastern coast, has every kind of water sports, including
many interesting water-slides.
Antalya The award-winning Antalya Kaleiçi Marina
and Leisure Center is considered one of the loveliest marinas
in Turkey. This center can well meet every tourist's need
worth its many souvenir shops, friendly cafes and restaurants
as well as yacht moorings and services. Sail in the morning
and enjoy the restful peace of the marina in the afternoon.
The old city walls, lit at night, lend an atmosphere of
serenity and timelessness.
The Archaeological Museum, with remains from the Paleolithic
Age to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich
history. The Atatьrk Museum displays objects used by
the founder of the Turkish Republic. (Both open weekdays
except Monday)
The Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film and Art
Festival, held in the autumn, attracts both participants
and visitors. The ancient theatre in Aspendos makes an impressive
setting for some of the festival's plays and concerts.
Antalya also hosts annual jewellery fairs.
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