A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF ANTALYA

• Evidence of human habitation dating back over 200 000 years has been discovered in the Carain caves 30 km to the north of Antalya city. Other finds dating back to Neolithic times and more recent periods show that the area has been populated by various ancient civilisations throughout the ages.
• Records from the Hittite period (when the first recorded political union of Anatolian cities was set up calling itself the Lycian league) refer to the area as the Lands of Arzawa and document the lively interaction going on between provinces in 1700 BC.
• Historical records document how cities developed independantly, how the area as a whole was called Pamphilia and how a federation of cities was set up in the province. There is also a record of the migration of the Akha clan to the area after the Trojan war.
• The reign of the kingdom of Lydia in west Anatolia came to an end in 560 BC after it was defeated by the Persians during the battle of Sardis in 546 BC.
• From 334 BC until his death Alexander the Great conquered the cities of the area one by one - leaving out Termessos and Silion.
• With the defeat of the Seleucid army at Apamaea began the reign of the kingdon of Pergamom. In 150 BC Attalos II, king of Pergamom, founded the city of Attalaýa (present day Antalya) to base his powerful naval fleet.
• When Attalos III, the last king of Pergamom, died in 133 BC he left his kingdom to the Romans. The Roman and subsequent Byzantine Empires ruled the area for the next 13 centuries.
• In 1207 A.D. the Selchuk Turks conquered Antalya and then Alanya in 1220 A.D.This marked the end of Roman/Byzantine rule.
• Ottoman rule began in 1391. The brief occupation of the area by the Italians came to an abrupt end after the First World War with the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The area is now registered as a province of the Republic of Turkey.

Turkey was home to an astounding number of ancient cultures and the cradle of 10 of the world's greatest civilizations. From Hittite and Assyrian to Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine cultures, each group has left relics that can be found in many corners of the country.

Where else can you find so many scientists, philosophers, gods, authors, religious and political leaders? Here are some of them:

The god of the art, Apollo; the goddess of fertility and abundance, Artemis; the goddess of love, Aphrodite; Mevlana, the philosopher who said "Come again, whatever you are"; Cleopatra, who chose the Mediterranean coast for her honeymoon; Virgin Mary, St. Mary Magdalane and St. John, saints who found peace in this land; Yunus Emre, the poet of the love still alive in our hearts; Father Christmas, who still visits childrens' dreams; Alexander the Great, who could not resist the temptation of Anatolia; Thales, the mathematician who predicted the eclipse of the Sun; Sultan Süleyman the Magnificient, famous for his laws; King Midas, who wanted to turn everything into gold; Fatih Sultan Mehmet, who conquered Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in the world; and those who created the poetry of this city, Orhan Veli, Piyer Loti, Yahya Kemal and Lamartina; the famous admiral Piri Reis, who prepared the first correct maps of America and Atlantic Ocean; Nasreddin Hoca, famous for his witticisms; Barbaros, hero of the seas; and the charismatic leader who founded the contemporary Turkish Republic, Atatürk...

Adding to this historic panaroma are elegant mosques and Ottoman palaces, intriguing bazaars, outstanding cuisine and scenic coastlines dotted with resorts and yatching marinas.

Travelling in Turkey means passing from one scene, legend or world to another. Crossing the endless sunflower fields of Thrace, you will find yourself in the magical vistas of Istanbul. While travelling along the Aegean or the Mediterranean coasts, you will see how the blue sea embraces the fresh green of the forests. Stop by Ephesus, the most fabled city in Asia Minor, to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the remains of the Temple of Artemis. On the Black Sea coast, you will discover many different tones of color and will be fascinated by the intensity of emerald- like greenery. In Central Anatolia, visit the Goreme Valley, an eerie corner of the Earth resembling the lunar landscape.

The varied geographical characteristics of Turkey; faciliate many sports and holiday activities. Our country offers you many ideal bays for wind surfing and endless beaches for sand surfing. You can discover a lot by diving into mysterious deep waters. Are you interested in hunting, ornithology in flora or caves? In Turkey, you will find ideal chances for investigating all of these. Do you like hiking, camping at plateaus, parachute diving or balloon excursions? Then Turkey is the place! Are your hobbies tennis, skiing, climbing or grass skating? Fishing? Having your fun in local festivals is a particular pleasure. And a special pleasure if you win a prize in the contests. But what you really win, is coming to Turkey.

Shopping is the indispensible pleasure of any vacation. Its appeal increases because of special handcrafts which vary from one region to another in Turkey. The bazaars, carpet and kilim workshops, and copper working shops ar very colourful shopping places where Turkish handcrafts are produced. World famous Turkish carpets and kilims are unmatched with respect to quality and beauty. World famous Turkish leather and textile products bejewell the store windows with latest fashion in the larger cities and touristic centres.

Turks and the Republic of Turkey:

Turks originated from northeastern Asia, specifically the Altai mountains and Mongolia. Continued migrations enduring for centuries account for the mixing of Turkish and local populations in the former Soviet Republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. Evidence of Turkish presence can be felt in the Middle East, in central and Mediterranean Europe, and in North Africa.

The Seljuck Empire was the first Turkish Empire in Anatolia. After the decline of the Seljucks' influence, Anatolia fragmented into a number of small states. The Ottoman Turks unified these separate units. The Ottomans ruled for more than six centuries (1281-1922), in part because of their system of government which allowed flexibility in the practice of diverse religions, languages and cultures.

The 18th century marked the beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire. The decline continued until World War I (1914-1918), when Ottoman armies fought and lost on several fronts throughout the empire. Eventually, Anatolia was divided and occupied by the allied forces. Although the Ottoman Empire was dissolved, the fight had just begun for the Turkish people.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a highly respected army general from World War I, led the Turkish people in their War of Independence (1919-1922) against the allied occupiers. It was the first war of national liberation in this century. Atatürk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. As the leader of the new nation, Atatürk created the foundations for a modern, secular state based on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Turkey is an element of stability in an otherwise turbulent part of the world. As a modern, secular democracy with free market economy, Turkey will continue to expand its role as a commercial, political and cultural link between the Middle East, the Caucuses, the Balkans and the West.

You will learn more when you come to Turkey...

Antalya >> Museums | Turkish Hammam | Climate | Geography | History | Economy | Old City Walls | Festivals and Events | Cultural

Interior Regions >> Kas | Kemer | Side | Alanya | Belek

Historical Attractions >> Olimpos | Phaselis | Thermessos | Perge | Aspendos | Kekova | Myra

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