ANTALYA BLUE CRUISE AREA

Turkey’s main holiday option in the Mediterranean area is Antalya, known as Pamphylia in ancient times.  Palm-lined avenue and a victorious marina make up part of this attractive city.  In Kaleici, the charming old quarter, there are narrow streets that wind along revealing wooden old houses against the ancient walls of the city.  

In recent times,  a number of  foreigners have decided to make Antalya their home; buying property either for holidays or retirement.The area is popular mainly with Russians and Germans.

The city was founded in the 2^nd  century BC by Attalus II, a Pergamon king.  He  gave  city name after himself with the name Atteleai.  Since then this city has been inhabited throughout history, uninterrupted; having been occupied by  Byzantines Romans and Seljuks until it was taken over by Ottoman rule.

Anatalya’s symbol is the elegantly minaret fluted of a  Minareli Yivli Mosque which is based at the city centre.  In the 13th century it was established  by the  Sultan Seljuk Alaeddin Keykubat.  The best of Seljuk stone carvings can be seen from the Medrese Karatay or theological institution, in the District named Kaleici, also from  a similar time.  

The 16th century Pasa Murat Mosque, commended for its wonderful tile decoration, and the 18th century Mehmet tekeli Pasa Mosque are the two most prominent Ottoman mosques in the city.  The attractive 19^th century  Mosque Iskele,  made of cut set  and stone on  4 pillars above a natural sprint, neighbors the marina.

It is possible that the Hirdirlik Kulesi or tower, was initially built in the 2^nd century as a lighthouse.  The Minaret  Kesik Mosque, which is actually a church, is proof of the city’s long history with successive eras of Roman, Seljuk, Byzantine and Ottoman architectural changes. Emperor Hadrian’s visit to Antalya in 130 AD was commemorated by a beautifully adorned gate with three arches which was build into the ramparts of the city in his tribute