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Perge
An important city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge (18 km from Antalya)
was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC St. Paul
preached some of his first sermons here. The theater's stage has
finely carved marble relieves; other carvings from around the city are
displayed in the stadium. Amateur archaeologists will want to see the
handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded road
once paved with mosaics and lined with shops, a large agora, the
public baths and a gymnasium. The name Perge comes from Anatolian
dialect; nonetheless, in ancient times the townsmen believed that it
had been founded by Greek heroes after the siege of Troy. Perge is
also know because it is the birth-place of the mathematician
Apollonius, author of a famous treatise on geometry.
Other structures
include the necropolis, city walls, gymnasium, Roman Baths, memorial
fountain and the Greek and Roman gates.
Termessos
In the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, is located on a natural plateau
flanked by two mountains at 1040 meters above from the sea level. It
is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in south Turkey and
the only town that Alexander the Great never managed to conquer.
During the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C., Termessos was at the peak of
its glory and boasted as many as 150,000 inhabitants; most of its
buildings also date back to this period. Later on, it was severely
damaged by an earthquake and gradually become less populated until it
was completed deserted in the 7th century A.D. Of all the ruins, the
most impressive by far is the Theatre; hewn out of the rock, it offers
a view as far as Antalya. An outstanding feature of Termessos remains
the large number of tombs, all around the slopes to the east, west and
south.
Olympos
(75 km to Antalya) Near Kemer are the remains of ancient Olympos
founded during the 3rd century B.C. and pirates' den before becoming a
Roman Empire. The ancient city of Olympos is situated on the southern
side of Mt.
Tahtali.
Oleander and laurel bushes shade the
Olympos Valley,
which you can approach by land and sea. The play of light on the quiet
pools of water enhances the mosaics in the bath. A temple gate and
theater also remain from antiquity. The outer walls and towers around
the bay date from the Middle Ages. North of Olympos up from Cirali
Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where according to
mythology the Lycian hero Bellerephon, mounted on his winged horse
Pegasus slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimera. Gas, which seeps
from the earth, burns brightly at night at this site, which the
Byzantine also considered a religious area. Homer narrates in the IV
book of the Illiad that it was the dwelling-place of Chimaera, the
fire breathing monster, part lion, goat and serpent, which gave it its
name.
Apart from
the ruins, Olympos is well known for its simple tree house camps, where
most tourists stay, and a natural environment thanks to forests and
vineyards near to a beautiful beach.
Ariassos
The ancient
remains of Ariassos, around 50km from Antalya, are located on a slope
and contain baths and rock tombs.
Phaselis
Phaselis founded by Rhodes at the beginning of the 6th century B.C.,
it soon became an important harbour, as can be deduced from the ships
portrayed on coins. The Theatre dates back to the 2th century A.D. The
arches of the Aqueduct that supplied the city stand out the green of
the pines. Lastly, one can admire the Baths and the paved road that
leads to the gate erected in honor of the emperor Hadrian. This
antiquity harbour city were once a major commercial center/ The ruins
of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theater, Hadrian's Gate and an
Acropolis reveal the city's historical importance. From the south
harbour, look up at Mountain Tahtali (Mt.Olympos) for a spectacular
view. The sheltered sandy beaches make a superb playground, and the
waters are calm and safe for swimmers.
Limra
Believed to have
been in existence since the 5th century, Limyra is still in existence
despite a massive earthquake in the mid 19th century although was
emptied in the 7th and 9th centuries after the Arab invasions. The
city, which is 11km south, composes of three section; the acropolis,
areas of settlement, and necropolis.
Arycanda
Excavations of
this city reveal that it probably existed from the 5th century BC, and
controlled much of the Arycanda valley. Having survived a destructive
earthquake in 240 AD, the city maintained its prominence until the
11th century, and its most important structures still survive today.
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