Let's explore Antalya's old city on walking with a guide:
Kaleiçi (Old Town)
Attaleia-Antalya, meaning “Land of Attalos,” was founded by King Attalos II of Pergamon. After the end of the Kingdom of Pergamon (133 BC), the city remained independent for a while, then fell into the hands of pirates. In 77 BC, it was incorporated into Roman territory by Commander Servilius Isauricus; in 67 BC, it became a base for Pompey's fleet. Hadrian's visit to Attaleia in 130 AD contributed to the city's development.
During Byzantine rule, Attaleia became a bishopric center, and after it came under Turkish control, it experienced significant growth. Since the modern city is built on top of the ancient settlement, very few ancient remains are found in Antalya. The first visible remains are a part of the harbor breakwater, considered the old harbor, and the walls surrounding the harbor. Located outside the park, the restored Hadrian's Gate (Three Gates) is one of Antalya's most beautiful ancient monuments.
Kaleiçi, which housed Attaleia in antiquity, is surrounded by horseshoe-shaped walls, both inside and out. These walls, a shared legacy of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, contain approximately 3,000 houses with tiled roofs. The characteristic structures of these houses not only provide insight into Antalya's architectural history but also best reflect the lifestyle, traditions, and customs of the region. The narrow streets within the walls stretch upwards from the harbor, along the wall itself. The Fluted Minaret and its complex, the Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa, the Karatay Madrasa, the Şehzade Korkut Mosque, the İskele Mosque, and the Tekeli Mahmut Paşa Mosque are some of the important historical structures within the walls.
The ancient harbor in Kaleiçi is now used as a modern marina. The marina and the ancient city together form a unique complex. It presents a magnificent landscape that has inspired many painters, writers, and poets. In 1984, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was awarded the Golden Apple Award, considered the “Oscar of Tourism,” by FIJET (World Federation of Tourism Writers and Journalists) for the restoration project carried out in Kaleiçi, which is now a protected historical site.
With its historical buildings transformed into hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and bars, Kaleiçi is a major attraction in Antalya. While journeying back in time through the bougainvillea-adorned, citrus-scented streets of Kaleiçi, which always maintains its vibrancy and rhythm, you can also shop for local products and souvenirs in the shops.
