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North of Antalya
 Renowned
for its unspoilt landscape and flora and fauna, the Gцller
Bцlgesi (Lake District) lies in a mountainous area 150 km
north of Antalya. Burdur is known throughout Turkey for
its beautiful lakes, as well as for its carpets and kilims.
The city preserves excellent examples of Ottoman regional
architecture, in particular the Tasoda, Kocaoda (also known
as Çelikbas), and Misirlilar Konaks, or mansions.
Dating back to the 17th century, both the interior and exterior
decorations reveal much of the Ottoman aesthetic, (Open
weekdays except Monday). The Burdur Archaeological Museum
houses some very important artifacts from around the region.
(Open weekdays except Monday)
Burdur Lake, with nice beaches for swimming, is a superb
location for water sports. A climb to the top of Susamlik
Hill gives you a panoramic view over the city and lake.
The Insuyu Cave, 10 km south on the road to Antalya, is
597 meters long, with nine distinct pools, and chambers
filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A hundred kilometres
southwest of Burdur, in Gцlhisar (Cibyra), are ruins,
mostly from Roman times, of an important ancient northern
Lycian city with a stadium, lower and upper agora, theatre,
necropolis and large aqueducts. Also in the region, trapped
in the mountains 1,050 meters above sea level, is beautiful
Lake Salda, an ideal location for relaxation and cooling
off on the sandy beaches or in the lakeside cafes, hotels
and restaurants.
 Between
Burdur and Isparta, near the town of Aglasun, is the ancient
site of Sagalassos, a Pisidian city with ruins from Roman
times including a monumental entrance gate, colonnaded street,
agora, temple and magnificent theatre.
Isparta, high in the Taurus Mountains, is a city of lakes
with lovely coastal areas overgrown in the spring and summer
with an exuberance of wild flowers. In the city you should
stop at the Ulu Mosque built in 1417 by the Seljuks. The
Bedesten, or covered bazaar, dates from 1561. Firdevs Pasa
Mosque was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman
architect Sinan. Be sure to see the 14th century Isparta
Castle. Rose gardens that produce rose oil for the cosmetic
industry surround the city and fill it with their sweet
scent. Other souvenirs include a thickly piled Isparta carpet.
In the nearby hills, the districts of Kirazlidere and Sidre
are popular with visitors who want to relax and enjoy the
view. South of Isparta, Gцlcьk Lake, encircled by aromatic
pine forests; rests at an impressive 1,405 meters above
sea level.
 Egirdir,
at the southern end of Lake Egirdir, is set in idyllic natural
surroundings. Among the man-made monuments, Egirdir Castle
built by the Lydian King Croesus shows the additions and
renovations of the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks. The Seljuk
Kemerli Minare has felt the changes of the modem world -
today it stands in the middle of a road. At lakeside restaurants
you can sample white bass, the local speciality. A boardwalk
connects the shore to Egirdir Island where weavers erect
their looms and work outside their houses. On the western
side of the lake, up in the hills, Barla's guest-houses
provide a wonderful opportunity for relaxation. Kovada National
Park, 30 km south of Lake Egirdir, surrounds Kovada Lake,
a pristine and cool mountain getaway.
 Northeast
of Isparta, Yalvaç stands near the ancient city of
Pisidian Antioch. This area was visited by St. Paul and
St. Barnabas in 46 A.D. Among the ruins be sure to see St.
Paul's Basilica, the aqueducts, Augustus' Temple, the theatre
and public baths as you walk along the city's marble streets.
The Archaeological Museum in Yalvaç itself displays
several important regional artifacts. Tourists will find
not only leather clothing but many interesting traditional
souvenirs made of animal hide. East of Yalvaç, atop
Karakuyu Hill, is the sanctuary of the Moon God, Men, and
the view from it some is breathtaking. Giant cedar trees
grow in Kizildag National Park, south of Yalvaç,
amid one of Turkey's most splendid landscapes.
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