Alanya history

The history of Alanya is a kaleidoscope of eras and civilizations that have left their mark on this picturesque Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Known today as a popular resort, the city has been a significant strategic and trading hub for centuries.

The first mentions of a settlement on the site of modern Alanya, known in antiquity as Coracesium, date back to the 4th century BC. Thanks to its location on a rocky peninsula, it served as an ideal refuge for pirates who controlled this part of the coast for a long time. Their dominance was brought to an end by the Roman general Pompey the Great in 67 BC, who defeated the pirate fleet at the walls of Coracesium. Later, according to legend, Mark Antony gifted this city and the surrounding lands to the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.

The city's heyday occurred during the Middle Ages, driven by several factors:

• Strategic Location: The peninsula on which the city is located is a natural fortress, making it practically impregnable from both sea and land.
• Seljuk Conquest: In 1221, the city was conquered by the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I. He recognized the strategic importance of this location and renamed it Alaiye, making it his winter residence and main naval port.
• Infrastructure Development: Under Alaaddin Keykubad, key landmarks that survive to this day were erected: the famous Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), the Shipyard (Tersane), and the mighty walls of Alanya Castle.

During the Seljuk period, Alaiye transformed into a thriving trade centre, maintaining ties with Egypt and other Mediterranean states. The city became not only a military base but also a vital economic hub. After becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in 1471, its significance gradually declined, though it remained an important local port. The city received its modern name — Alanya — in 1935 at the suggestion of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Brief Timeline of Alanya's History

Alanya's history spans more than two millennia. Known by different names in different eras, the city has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires, pirate raids, and grand construction projects. Here are the key moments of its rich past.

• 4th Century BC — First mentions of a settlement named Coracesium, which served as a haven for Mediterranean pirates.
• 67 BC — Roman general Pompey the Great defeats the pirates in a naval battle at the walls of Coracesium, incorporating the city into the Roman Empire.
• 1st Century BC — According to legend, Roman triumvir Mark Antony gifts the city and surrounding lands to Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.
• 7th Century AD — During the Byzantine period, the city, known as Kalonoros ("beautiful mountain"), faces Arab raids, leading to the strengthening of defensive structures.
• 1221 — Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I conquers the city, recognizing its strategic value.
• 1221-1237 — The city is renamed Alaiye; it becomes the winter residence of the Sultan and the main naval base of the Seljuks on the Mediterranean.
• 13th Century — During the reign of Alaaddin Keykubad, iconic structures are built: the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), the Shipyard (Tersane), and the mighty fortress, defining the city's appearance.
• 1471 — Alaiye becomes part of the expanding Ottoman Empire, retaining its importance as a key port city.
• 16th Century — Under the Ottomans, the shipyards of Alaiye continue to build ships for the empire's fleet.
• 1935 — As part of Turkish language reforms, the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, gives the city its modern name — Alanya.
• Since 1958 — Tourism begins to actively develop in Alanya, gradually turning the city into one of Turkey's most popular resorts.

Major Development Milestones: From Fortress to Metropolis

The evolution of the city of Alanya is a journey from an impregnable outpost to one of the most dynamic resorts for which Turkey is famous. Each era brought radical changes to the economy and urban landscape, shaping the unique look we see today. Below are the key stages of these transformations.

• Antique Fortification and Pirate Base

  In the Hellenistic period, the rocky peninsula was turned into a fortified base. This defined the urban dominance for centuries to come: the city developed exclusively within the fortress walls on the mountain, functioning to control sea routes rather than as a trade centre.

• Seljuk Industrialization (13th Century)

  Under Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad, the city experienced its first large-scale urbanization. The construction of the unique Shipyard (Tersane) turned it into an industrial shipbuilding centre. This was an economic breakthrough: the city became not just a fortress, but the state's main naval and commercial port, linking Anatolia with Egypt and Venice.

• Ottoman Trade Integration

  After the 15th century, upon entering the Ottoman Empire, the city lost its capital lustre but gained importance as a regional trade hub. The main economic focus shifted to the export of timber (cedar) for shipbuilding and the silk trade, which contributed to the development of the port zone outside the citadel.

• Agrarian Revolution (19th – Mid-20th Century)

  Before the tourism era, the city's economy relied on agriculture. It was here that bananas and citrus fruits began to be grown en masse, changing the landscape of the coastal plains — where hotels now stand, endless gardens and plantations once stretched.

• Discovery of Damlatas Cave and the Start of Tourism (1948)

  The accidental discovery of the healing Damlatas Cave during port construction was a turning point. This event attracted the first "health" tourists and sparked the construction of the initial tourism infrastructure at the foot of the fortress mountain.

• Urban Boom (1980s – Present)

  The adoption of laws encouraging tourism led to explosive growth in construction. The city expanded far beyond the historical centre, absorbing neighbouring villages. The economy completely reoriented towards the service sector, and the coastline was transformed into a continuous chain of hotels and beach zones.

• Internationalization and Real Estate Market (21st Century)

  The modern stage of development is characterized by the resort transforming into a place of permanent residence for foreigners. Active development of districts like Mahmutlar with high-rise residential complexes created a new economic sector — construction and real estate — making the city a multicultural hub.

Alanya's Architectural Look: From Seljuk Fortress to Modern Resort

The architecture of Alanya is a unique blend of powerful medieval fortification and modern resort development. Unlike many European cities, you will not find Gothic or Renaissance styles here. Instead, the city's appearance was defined by two key eras: the period of the Seljuk Sultanate and the rapid growth of the tourism industry in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Seljuk Period (13th Century): The Golden Age of Fortification

The foundations of Alanya's historical appearance were laid in the 13th century under Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad. The architecture of this time is primarily utilitarian and military in nature, distinguished by monumentality and functionality. Key structures of this era formed the core of the city, which has survived to this day.

• Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi): A majestic complex built on the ruins of Roman and Byzantine fortifications, it is a brilliant example of Seljuk military architecture. Walls stretching 6.5 km, 140 bastions, and numerous water cisterns made the fortress practically impregnable. Inside the walls, there were not only military facilities but also residential quarters, mosques, and even the Sultan's palace.
• Red Tower (Kızıl Kule): This octagonal bastion, 33 metres high, has become a true symbol of Alanya. Built in 1226 to protect the port and shipyard, the tower is an outstanding example of medieval defensive architecture.
• Shipyard (Tersane): A structure unique for its time, the only surviving Seljuk shipyard on the Mediterranean. Five arched galleries extending 40 metres into the rock allowed for the construction and repair of ships in complete safety.

Ottoman Period (15th-19th Centuries) and Modernity

After joining the Ottoman Empire, monumental construction in Alanya slowed down. The Ottomans mainly adapted and added to existing Seljuk structures. A striking example of Ottoman influence is the Süleymaniye Mosque, erected in the 16th century inside the fortress, presumably on the site of an earlier Seljuk mosque. Traditional Ottoman residential houses have also been preserved in the Old City.

Radical changes in the city's architectural appearance occurred in the second half of the 20th century with the development of tourism. Mass construction began on the coast, replacing former citrus gardens. Modern Alanya architecture is predominantly functional modernism: multi-storey hotels and residential complexes with swimming pools and developed infrastructure, especially in new districts like Mahmutlar and Oba. This modern development forms today's image of Alanya as an international resort, creating a contrast with the majestic historical peninsula, which remains the heart and soul of the city.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Alanya

The history of Alanya is rich in events where key roles were played by outstanding historical figures. From ancient generals to the founder of modern Turkey, these personalities left an indelible mark on the city's destiny.

• Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (106–48 BC)

  A Roman general and consul who put an end to the dominance of Cilician pirates in the Mediterranean. In 67 BC, he won a decisive victory in the battle at the walls of Coracesium (the ancient name of Alanya), after which the city became part of the Roman Republic.

• Cleopatra VII (69–30 BC)

  The last queen of Hellenistic Egypt. Although there is no direct historical evidence, a famous legend states that the Roman general Mark Antony gave her Coracesium and the surrounding lands as a wedding gift. Today, one of Alanya's most famous beaches is named after Cleopatra.

• Diodotus Tryphon (reigned 142–138 BC)

  A general and usurper to the throne of the Seleucid Empire. During his short reign, he recognized the strategic position of Coracesium and began to expand the city and fortify its port. His activities contributed to transforming the city into an important fortress.

• Alaaddin Keykubad I (1190–1237)

  Sultan of the Seljuk Sultanate, considered the actual founder of medieval Alanya. In 1221, he conquered the city, renamed it Alaiye, and made it his winter residence and main naval base. By his order, the city's main symbols were erected — the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), the Shipyard (Tersane), and the monumental fortress.

• Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881–1938)

  The founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Ataturk visited the city in 1935 and, according to the official version, it was he who suggested giving it the modern name — Alanya, replacing the Ottoman "Alaiye". The house where he stayed during his visit is now a museum.