ANTALYA

Surrounded by amazing scenery of sharp contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal resort, is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls.

Hadrian's Gate, Antalya

Antalya has been continuously inhabited since its founding in 159 BC by Attalos II, a king of Pergamum, who named the city Attaleia after himself. The Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks successively occupied it before Ottoman rule. The elegant, fluted minaret of the YivIi 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 Kaleici, 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 l8th-century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque. Nearby 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) was probably constructed as a lighthouse in the second century. The Kesik Minaret Mosque, which was previously a church, attests to the city's long history in its succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman renovations.

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When Emperor Hadrian visited Phaselis in Antalya province in 130 AD a beautifully decorated three-arched gate with Corinthian columns was built into the city walls in his honor. It was the only entrance through the city walls. The two towers flanking the gate, as well as other sections of the walls, are still standing near the marina. The clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's fortifications.

Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret), Antalya

In the Ataturk and Karaalioglu Parks, the colorful exotic flowers and the shimmering water in the bay with the mountains behind demonstrate why Antalya has become such a popular resort. At Aqua Park, on the eastern coast, every kind of water sport is available, including exciting water slides.

The award-winning Antalya Kaleici Marina and Leisure Center is considered one of the loveliest marinas in Turkey with its many souvenir shops, friendly cafes and restaurants as well as yacht moorings and services. Sail in the morning and enjoy the relaxed conveniance of the marina in the afternoon. The old city walls, lit up at night, lend an atmosphere of serenity and timelessness.

Icon in the Antalya Archeology Museum

The Archeological Museum, with artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history. Two-colored ceramics dated at 5400 - 8500 B.C. are worth seeing. The Ataturk Museum displays objects used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. (Both open weekdays except Monday).

Aquapark, Antalya

The Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film and Art Festival, held in the autumn, attracts many participants and visitors. The ancient theater in Aspendos makes an impressive setting for some of the festival's plays and concerts. Antalya also hosts annual jewelry fairs.

Kaleici Yacht Harbor, Antalya

A Culture, Exhibition and Congress Center dominated by an impressive glass pyramid was opened in 1996 in the Konyaalti Quarter.