Antalya history

The history of the city of Antalya dates back to the Hellenistic era. It was founded in the 2nd century BC (approximately 159 BC) by King Attalus II of Pergamon. According to legend, the monarch ordered his subjects to find "paradise on earth," and they pointed him to this picturesque location. In honour of its founder, the settlement was named Attaleia.

Key Factors in its Establishment

• Advantageous Geography: The city emerged on a rocky plateau with a convenient natural harbour, providing protection and the ability to receive ships. This made it a crucial port on the southern coast of Anatolia.
• Political Power: After the death of the last King of Pergamon, the city came under Roman rule. The Romans recognised the strategic importance of the port and utilised it as a base for their naval fleet and trade expeditions.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From its inception, the city developed as a bustling trade centre of the region that modern Turkey occupies today. Goods from the interior regions, including valuable timber and olive oil, passed through the port.

Culturally, Attaleia was a typical ancient polis where Hellenistic and Roman traditions intertwined. The city was surrounded by powerful fortress walls, while temples and public buildings were erected within. A significant event in its early history was the visit of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, in whose honour a monumental gate was built, which has survived to this day.

Major Historical Milestones

The rich past of Antalya spans millennia, from ancient kings to the modern tourism era. Below are the key dates that shaped the character of this region.

Antiquity and the Byzantine Period

• 159 BC — King Attalus II of Pergamon founds the city of Attaleia, which becomes a vital port on the southern coast.
• 133 BC — The city passes under the rule of the Roman Republic according to the will of the last King of Pergamon, Attalus III.
• 67 BC — Roman general Pompey uses the port as a base for a successful campaign to clear the sea of pirates.
• 130 AD — Visit of Emperor Hadrian, in whose honour the triumphal gate is erected, becoming a symbol of the city.
• 395 AD — Following the division of the Roman Empire, Attaleia becomes part of Byzantium and continues to develop as a trade and naval centre.

The Seljuk and Ottoman Era

• 1207 — Seljuk Sultan Kaykhusraw I conquers the city, opening access to the Mediterranean Sea for his state.
• 1391 — The city first comes under Ottoman control during the reign of Sultan Bayezid I.
• 1426 — Final incorporation into the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Murad II, marking the beginning of a period of long-term stability.
• 17th Century — The famous traveller Evliya Çelebi describes the city as a prosperous place with narrow streets and gardens.

Modern Era and Contemporary Times

• 1919 — After the end of the First World War, the city is temporarily occupied by Italian forces.
• 1921 — Italian troops leave the region, and control returns to the national government.
• 1923 — With the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, the city becomes the administrative centre of the province of the same name.
• 1980s — A massive state program for tourism development is launched, transforming the region into one of the most popular resorts in the world.

The development of Antalya is a dynamic journey from a strategic ancient fortress to the premier resort of the Mediterranean. The city's appearance has been shaped over centuries by the influence of successive civilisations, each contributing to the urban planning, culture, and economy of the region.

Key Stages of Transformation

• Creation of the Ancient Port and Fortifications (2nd Century BC).
  The city's founders used the natural landscape to build a protected harbour and powerful fortress walls.
  Significance: This defined the city's role as a vital trade hub for the region, linking maritime routes with the interior areas of Anatolia.
• Seljuk Reconstruction (13th Century).
  After conquering the city, the Seljuks built a shipyard and iconic religious structures, including the Yivli Minaret.
  Significance: The city became the first naval base for the Turks on the Mediterranean, and the architecture was enriched with elements of Islamic design.
• Architectural Design of Kaleiçi (Ottoman Period).
  Dense residential development formed within the fortress walls, featuring characteristic houses, cobbled streets, and internal gardens.
  Significance: A unique historical centre emerged, preserving the atmosphere of the past, which today serves as a major cultural attraction.
• Restoration of the Historical Harbour (1970s).
  A large-scale project was launched to restore the old port and the Kaleiçi district, which was awarded the prestigious "Golden Apple" prize.
  Significance: The urban planning focus shifted from modernisation to heritage preservation, laying the foundation for excursion tourism.
• Tourism Revolution (1980s).
  Thanks to state reforms, massive construction of hotels and resort infrastructure began.
  Significance: Turkey transformed an agrarian province into the country's economic engine and a centre for international leisure.
• Modernisation of the Transport Hub (Late 20th – Early 21st Century).
  Expansion of the international airport and construction of new terminals.
  Significance: Ensuring colossal capacity allowed for hosting millions of guests annually, making the city accessible to the entire world.
• Hosting EXPO 2016.
  Implementation of major landscape projects, improvement of the urban environment, and development of the light rail system.
  Significance: Renewal of the city's green framework and attracting attention to the region as a venue for world-class events.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of Antalya represents a unique combination of a compact historical core and expansive modern districts. The heart of the city is the Kaleiçi district, which retains a medieval layout with narrow winding streets enclosed within a ring of ancient fortress walls. Beyond this "old city," wide boulevards and modern neighbourhoods have grown, formed during the era of republican Turkey and the tourism boom.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

One can read the history of several civilisations in the city's appearance. Each era has left its mark in stone, creating an eclectic yet harmonious ensemble.

• Ancient Classicism (Roman Period).
  The Romans brought monumentality and ordered architecture to the city. The main legacy of this era is the majestic Hadrian's Gate (130 AD). This is a triumphal arch of white marble with three spans and columns featuring composite capitals. Also dating to this period are fragments of the fortress walls and the Hıdırlık Tower, combining Roman engineering thought with Hellenistic traditions.
• Seljuk Style (13th–14th Centuries).
  With the arrival of the Seljuks, elements of Islamic architecture appeared: brickwork, geometric ornaments, and monumental portals. The brightest example is the Yivli Minaret ("Fluted Minaret"), which has become the symbol of the city. Its red brick construction with turquoise mosaics demonstrates the skill of Seljuk architects. The Karatay Madrasa, with its exquisite stone carving, is also noteworthy.
• Ottoman Architecture (15th–19th Centuries).
  The Ottoman period gifted the city a characteristic residential style that dominates the Kaleiçi district. These are two- or three-storey houses with a stone ground floor and wooden upper floors overhanging the street (bay windows). In religious architecture, the influence of the classical Ottoman style is evident, exemplified by the Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque with its large central dome.
• Modernism and Contemporary Resort Architecture (20th–21st Centuries).
  Modern Antalya is a city of concrete and glass. Functionalism prevails in new districts: multi-storey residential complexes and administrative buildings. Along the coast, a distinct style of resort architecture has formed, where hotels often imitate palaces (postmodernism) or use high-tech solutions to create impressive facades.

Landmarks That Shaped the City

Several key structures serve as anchor points in the urban fabric, linking the past and present:

• Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi). Part of the old fortifications, rebuilt in the Ottoman era. It marks the boundary between the old city and the modern business centre.
• Kaleiçi District. A living open-air museum where Ottoman mansions sit alongside the ruins of Roman walls, creating a unique atmosphere of comfort and antiquity.
• Archeological Museum. The building, though modern, houses the sculptural decorations of the region's ancient cities, serving as the province's most vital cultural centre.

Notable Figures

The rich history of Antalya is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, spiritual leaders, and travellers. In different eras, these individuals defined the destiny of the region and shaped its cultural heritage, which Turkey carefully preserves today.

• Attalus II Philadelphus (220–138 BC)
  King of Pergamon, City Founder
  The city owes its existence and name to this ruler. According to legend, Attalus ordered the search for "paradise on earth," and at the indicated location in 159 BC, he founded the port of Attaleia. He turned the settlement into a strategic naval base, defining the region's development vector for centuries to come.

• Emperor Hadrian (76–138 AD)
  Roman Emperor
  One of Rome's most famous "travelling" emperors visited the city in 130 AD. This visit became a turning point in the architectural history of the polis. In honour of the monarch's arrival, the majestic triumphal gate (Hadrian's Gate) was erected, which is beautifully preserved and serves as the grand entrance to the old Kaleiçi district.

• Apostle Paul (1st Century AD)
  Christian Apostle and Missionary
  An important figure for religious history. The "Acts of the Apostles" mentions that Paul, together with Barnabas, visited Attalia at the end of his first missionary journey, from where he sailed to Antioch. This event makes the city a significant point on the map of Christian pilgrimage.

• Ghiyath al-Din Kaykhusraw I (died 1211)
  Sultan of the Sultanate of Rum
  He played a key role in the Turkification of the region. In 1207, he conquered the city, providing the Seljuks with their first access to the Mediterranean Sea. Under his rule, the construction of shipyards and madrasas began, and the city became an important centre for maritime trade and Islamic culture.

• Evliya Çelebi (1611–1682)
  Ottoman Traveller and Writer
  The famous geographer dedicated detailed chapters to the city in his "Book of Travels" (Seyahatname). He described the daily life, architecture, and fortress walls of 17th-century Antalya in detail, noting that the city was immersed in gardens of lemons and oranges. His records serve as an invaluable source for historians.

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938)
  Founder and First President of the Republic of Turkey
  The father of the modern nation held special feelings for this region. During his visits in the 1930s, he uttered a phrase that became the unofficial slogan of the resort: "Without a doubt, Antalya is the most beautiful place in the world." His attention provided the impetus for the city's development as a major cultural and administrative centre.