5 of the Most Precious Historical Places of Antalya

Antalya, which was founded with the order of Attalos, King of Pergamon, 'Find me a paradise on earth' and takes its name from its founder; It is a city established in the most fertile geography of Anatolia, where the ancient Pamphylia, Psidia and Lycia regions intersect. It is the oldest settlement of humanity in Turkey. Karain CaveIt has hosted many civilizations from the sea to the mountain peaks. Ancient cities, one of Turkey's largest museumsAntalya Museum, and the world-famous Lycian Way, one of Antalya's most striking historical riches.

Offering the chance to swim and ski in the same season with its climate that spreads tourism to all four seasons, Antalya hosts many historical cities waiting to be discovered among the natural beauties.

Some of the most beautiful historical cities of Antalya to explore, some in the forest, some on the mountain slope with sea views, take your camera and backpack:

1. Termessos Ancient City

It was built on a natural platform on the top of Güllük Mountain. Termessos Ancient CityWith its untouched appearance, it has a more impressive atmosphere than other ancient cities. The city, which is included in the scope of the National Park due to its natural and historical riches, looks like the botanical garden of the region with its vegetation. The city's emergence on the stage of history was when Alexander the Great besieged the city in 333 BC and the Termessians did not surrender the city with a strong defense.

As you go to the city from the forested road at the entrance of the national park, historical ruins surround you. Agora, Hereon Monument, Zeus Solymeus Temple, Small and Big Artemis Temples, and Gymnasium Building accompany you up. At the top of the historical journey, there is the most important ruin of the city, the theater built in the Hellenistic Age with a capacity of 4200 people. Sitting at the top, this theater is like a prize for taking pictures and taking a quiet break.

Signs should be followed carefully in order not to get lost among tall plants and not to miss historical ruins. After this expedition, which is full of exploration and a bit tiring due to its geographical structure, you can relax and have a picnic in the park. There is no city bus going to the city, the only mode of transportation is a private car or taxi.

2. Olympos (Olympos) Ancient City

The paradise where Zeus was founded at the foot of the mountains, where the Olympos Stream embraces the salty water of the Mediterranean, and where Aphrodite swims in the immortal sea: Olympos. The road, which sets off from Antalya and brings together blue and green, leads to Olympos, the city of free spirits.

The city is hidden behind the walls of protection on the banks of the Olympos Stream. When you follow the signs left and right, there are ruins hidden among the trees for thousands of years. The Roman Period Theatre, the remains of the Great Bath, the early Byzantine Basilica, and the building elements of the Small Bath can be seen. There are 12 Byzantine Churches in this city, which were founded in the Hellenistic Period and has an important position in the spread of Christianity. City; It was a port of call for the Knights of Venice, Genoa, and Rhodes, especially after the 14th century.

Olympos Beach, which is the only beach that can be reached on foot from among the historical ruins, is located at the end of the city. The most attractive feature of Olympos is that it has world-famous tree houses. After the historical discovery, you can stay in the tree houses built on the top of the pine trees, sleep in the hammocks in the orange trees and cool off in the Olympos Stream, which has very cold water. If you want to stay in this wonderful place where history and nature are intertwined, you can choose Divasa Hotel.

You can reach Olympos, which can be reached by turning left at the junction at the 85th kilometer of Antalya Kumluca Highway.

3. Chimera from Cirali (Chimaira)

One of the important historical places near Çıralı village, right next to Olympos. A volcanoBesides its historical and touristic importance, it attracts attention with its fire coming out of the stones. According to mythology, the natural gas source located on the rocks of the Çıralı slope, the valiant Bellerophontes mounted the Pegasus horse to attack the monster named Chimera and killed the monster with arrows that he put lead. In this place where the dragon died, it is believed that the natural gas burning on Yanartaş Mountain since ancient times is the unquenchable fire of the dragon.

When you follow the path from the Çıralı coast towards Yanar Dere Valley, you can see fires burning at different points and historical ruins. Under the fire at the bottom are the ruins of a large church from the early Byzantine Period, and under the church is the Temple of Hephaestus, a god who worked metal and created extraordinarily 

4. Arikanda (Arycanda) Ancient City

Arikanda Ancient CityIt is located on the western slope of Aykırçay, at the 35th kilometer of the Finike-Elmalı Highway. Known to be an old settlement, in BC. The name of the ancient city, which is said to have existed since the 2nd millennium BC, means "the place next to the high rock" in the Lycian language.

In Arycanda, which shows a settlement in the form of terraces, there is the Stadion on the top terrace of the city, the small but best-preserved theater of the region, the Odeon, which also functions as the agora and the parliament building, the small bath, the cistern, the house with inscriptions and the fountain. The burial site, called the "eastern necropolis" of the city, draws attention with its mausoleums, many of which have survived. The four-level canals carved into the steep rock surfaces where Aykırçay originates form the main lines of the system that brings water to the city.

After visiting the ancient city, you can eat boiled-roasted corn in the Aykırçay market and shop at the village market. Seeing the wild deer that come to Aykırçay in the evening to drink water will be the best moment of your trip.

5. Xanthos

On the Antalya Muğla Highway, EyebrowIt is located in the village of Kınık, 43 kilometers from Xanthos Ancient City, historical BC, which was the capital of Lycia. A city dating back to the 8th century. There are rock tombs, sarcophagus tombs, and erected tomb monuments unique to Lycian culture among the ruins that have survived the city, which was the scene of many historical events and wars. The theater, which has been repaired many times, and the church built in the early Christian Period are among the most important works to be seen.

The most interesting story known about the city, which was the scene of many wars and heroism, is that the people of Xanthos, who are fond of their freedom, first killed their families with their own hands, and then preferred to die by burning the whole city.

After seeing the places where the painful and heroic stories of the Xanthosians lived, a tourist trip can be made to Patara or Kaş. Joining the Cyprus Canyon exploration or diving in Kaş, Turkey's best diving center, will crown your trip with adventure.

Note: This article was taken from the Antalya Travel Guide page and the original text is in Turkish. We would like to thank Mrs. Ferhan Bozkaya who prepared the article.