Alanya

Alanya lies on the east side of the Gulf of Antalya below a rocky promontory of marble. The ancient city was enclosed by a rambling wall that makes its way all around the peninsula. Alanya was a Cilician frontier fortress on the border with Pamphylia. In 2 BC. Diodoros, a pirate chief, erected a fortress on the hill and it stood until the final stages of Pompey's campaign against the Mediterranean pirates. Passing into Roman hands, the town was later given to Cleopatra by Antony. It was not until Alanya came under Seljuk rule in 1221 that it became an important naval base; the stronghold on the promontory was completed in 1231. The old town dates from Seljuk and Ottoman times and lies between the lower and middle walls of the fortress on the eastern slopes of the promontory. The modern town extends along the northeastern shore of the promontory. Once a pleasant, small agricultural town, Alanya has become a popular tourist center due to its wide sand beach stretching more than four miles eastward from the town.

Attractions

• Kale Camii - A short taxi ride from the old town will take you to citadel hill and the courtyard of the upper fortress. Here stands the castle mosque, or Kale Camii. In the same courtyard are the ruins of a cruciform Byzantine church and, at the southern end, a lighthouse that dates back to 1720. From citadel hill you will have a superb panoramic view over the Mediterranean coastal plain, the scattered houses and fruit orchards along Alanya's shore.
• Seljuk Dockyard - The dockyard was quarried out of the rock in about 1227 and was recently restored. It has five vaulted galleries with linking arched entrances. Here Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad built the warships that enabled him to extend his power across the eastern Mediterranean.
• Red Tower - Located right in the harbor, this five-story octagonal tower was the key to Alanya's harbor defenses.

Food

There are several waterfront restaurants along Gazi Pasa Caddesi in the center of town. Fish is featured on most menus and local specialties include sea bass, red mullet or muttonfish. Another unusual treat is the local ice cream made with flavors such as peach, melon, mulberry and pine resin.

Currency

Currency in Turkey: Turkish lira (TRY)

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