Historical Monuments
There are magnificent
monuments in the citadel of Alanya, which is the nominee
for Unesco Cultural Heritage of the world. Along with
the monuments such as the walls, Kızılkule, the dockyard
and the gun house, old houses of Alanya inhabited after
having been restored are also protected and they are
worth visiting. In some of the houses weaving is
continued with old looms and meal is served in their
gardens. If you look carefully at the citadel, a
heritage from the medieval times, while visiting, you
will notice some stone carvings dating back to the
antiquity. Visiting the citadel of Alanya in details may
take you a whole day. There are many caravanserais and
fortresses to protect them, nearby since Alanya was a
city on the route of the historical Silk Road.
The Citadel of
Alanya
The Citadel of Alanya, the walls of which
are nearly 6.5 kilometres long, is on a peninsula whose
height is up to 250 metres from the sea level. Although
the settlement on Alanya peninsula, also known as
Kandeleri, dates back to the Hellenistic Era, its
cultural characteristics that can be seen today are
thanks to Selcuks of the 13th century. The citadel was
constructed on the demand of the Sultan of Selcuks,
Alaaddin Keykubat, who conquered and had the city
rebuilt in 1221. The citadel has 83 towers and 140
bastions. Nearly 400 cisterns were built to supply the
city surrounded by walks in the medieval times with
water. Some of the cisterns are still used today. The
walls were built in a well-planned manner; downwards to
Ehmedek, İçkale, Adama Atacağı, the upper part of
Cilvarda Bay, Arap Evliyası Burcu and Esat Burcu, then
through the gun house and the dockyard and they end up
in Kızılkule-İçkale, an open-air museum, is located at
the peak of the peninsula. Alaaddin Keykubat, the
Sultan, had his palace built there. Today the citadel is
still inhabited by people. In front of wooden and brick
houses of historical value, silk and cotton are woven,
white gourds are painted in different figures and
authentic meals are served in small gardens. There are
also restaurants and cafés on the way to the citadel and
on its sides overlooking the harbour. The citadel is
open to traffic. It takes you nearly an hour to walk to
the citadel.
Red Tower
It's in the harbour. The octagonal shaped
building that's the symbol of the city is a work by
Selcuks of the 13th century. It was built in 1226 by Ebu
Ali Rehç el Kettani, a master builder from Aleppo and
had built the citadel of Sinop before on the demand of
Alaaddin Keykubat, the Sultan of Selcuks. It was made of
red bricks, the upper parts of which had been fired,
since stone blocks were difficult to lift at a certain
height, thus it was given the name of Kızılkule (Red
Tower).
Marble blocks of the antiquity are seen in
the walls of the citadel. The height of the tower that
is octagonal in shape is 33 meters and it is 29 meters
in diameter, its each wall is 12.5 metres long. There
are five floors, including the ground floor. You can go
to the top of the tower with the help of stone stairs
that are high-spaced and have 85 steps. Sunlight coming
from the top of the tower even reaches the first floor.
There is a cistern in the middle of the tower. The tower
was built in order to protect the harbour and the
dockyard from naval attacks and was used for military
purposes for centuries. Being restored in 1950s, the
tower was opened to visitors in 1979, and its first
floor began to be used as the museum of Ethnography.
The Dockyard
Its construction started in 1227, six
years later than the Sultan's conquest of the city, near
Kızılkule and finished in one year. The Side of the
dockyard overlooking the sea and having five cells with
arches is 56.5 metres long and it is 44 metres in depth.
The area selected for the dockyard was planned to have
the most sunlight. The statement on the front door of
the dockyard has the Sultan Keykubat's armorial bearings
and is decorated with badges. The dockyard of Alanya was
the first one of Selcuks in the Mediterranean, Alaaddin
Keykubat, who had the dockyard of Sinop built before,
was given the little of "the Sultan of the two seas"
with the opening of the dockyard of Alanya. On one side
of the dockyard there is a small mosque, and a guard
room on the other. There is a well that has dried up in
time in one of the cells. You can go to the dockyard by
boats or on foot passing the walls near Kızılkule and
can enter the dockyard without any payments
Bedesten
It's in the citadel, near Sülaymaniye
Mosque. It's thought to have been be built in the 14th
or the 15th century during the Karamanoğulları period as
a bazaar or an inn. It's a rectangular building made of
stone blocks. It has 26 rooms and a courtyard that is 35
metres long and 13 metres wide. Today this historical
building is used as a hotel, a restaurant and a cafe.
The shops of the medieval times, overlooking the
courtyard are now redesigned as hotel rooms. There's a
big cistern at the end of the stairs in the garden. The
garden overlooks the above walls on one side, and the
Taurus Mountains, the Mediterranean and the beach on the
other side. Bedesten can be visited with the permission
of the person who runs it.
The Citadel Of
Alara
The Citadel of Alara was built in 1232,
37 kilometres westward from Alanya on the demand of
Alaaddin Keykubat, the Sultan of Selcuks and it is 9
kilometres far from the sea. The aim of the citadel that
was on the Silk Road was to protect the crowds stopped
at the inn near the Alara creek. It's built on a steep
hill of 200 meters up to 500. It looks magnificent. It
consists of an inner and outer part. A dark
entrance-hall of 120 steps enters the citadel. It is
important to be careful about the wild plants and ruins,
since it is not organized as a place to be visited.
There are tunnels made by carving rock in the citadel.
There is a small palace, the rooms of the workers, a
mosque and a Turkish bath in the ruins. Those who would
like to go to the top of the citadel through the walls
and paths have to climb at least one hour and be
equipped properly. However, the view from the top is
worth climbing.
Antique
Cities
There are a lot of
remnants of ancient cities through the east and west
axis of Alanya. The cities some of which founded in the
coast and some founded in steep slopes are called
Pamphylia and Kilikia region cities. The remnants
reflect the Characteristic features of these regions.
The stone ash boxes exhibited in Alanya Archaeological
Museum reflect the way of burying the dead in Kilikya
region. Entrance to these sites which are being
protected and where in some parts still excavations are
being carried out, is free. Considering the long walks
through stony and bushy footpath, people who would like
to visit ruins should choose appropriate shoes and carry
some water on summer days.
Hamaxia
It is 12 kilometres far from Alanya.
Within the borders of Pamphylia Region. Strabon, the
eminent geographer of the antiqity, mentions that the
timber used in ship building was grown in the town and
particularly there were cedar trees in the town. It is
believed that the town was founded before Roman period.
Rectangular stone shaped tower shows Hellenistic
features. The most important ruins of the town include;
an antique fountain. Pool, semicircle designed, excedra
whose seat are still seen still readable inscriptions,
religious complex and necropolis. Some inscriptions
discovered in the town pave emblem of Hermes which
indicates existence of Hermes temple in the town.
Considerable parts of an embossed otel Ostoteks
exhibited in the Alanya Museum were discovered in the
town. It is known that a small community not being rich
lived in Hamaxia between A.D. 100 and 200 under reign of
Coracesium. Important part of the ruins are dated from
Roman and Byzantine Period. It is free to visit this
site. It has a nice view of Alanya from he slope that
faces the sea. When there is no mist, it is possible to
see that coast which is more than 100 km between
Gazipaşa and Manavgat.
Syedra
Located on 20 km east of Alanya. As a
result of the excavations carried out by Alanya Museum,
it is believed that the history of the city dates back
to 7th century B.C. The city is surrounded by city
walls. There are several cisterns which provided water
needs of the city. The nish caved into the stone in one
of the caves are decorated with frescoes. The cave must
have been used for religious purposes. And is known as
baptising cave. There is a wonderful bath building on
the east of the town. There are mosaics on some part of
the bath floor. Just on the west of the bath, in
north-south direction the columned street of the town
lies. There are nishes on the north walls of the street.
In the excavations it was understood that the street is
in 250*10 metres sizes and covered with wooden roof and
south is open. There are many inscriptions about races
and competition. Other important structures in the town
include temple, theatre, acropolis, necropolis, agora,
houses and town walls. The inscription which was
prepared from Roman emperor Septimus Severus's letter
sent to the city in 194 A.D. is exhibited in Alanya
Museum. In his letter the emperor expresses his
gratefulness to the people of Syedra who resist the
bandits and undevaut attacking the city. Entrance to the
site is free. It is necesarry to walk 1 km. after the
motorway finishes. Going up the hill through the scrubby
land, one can see the beauty of Maditerranean and Alanya
fortress.
Leartes
Located about 25 km. away from Alanya, on
the skirt of a mountain elevating at the entrance of Dim
Valley on Taurus Mountains. The city takes place in the
border of the region known as Mountainous Kilikya Region
in antique age. Although it spread inland it also has a
harbour. Inscription dating the own from B.C. 7th
century in Fenike language and found in the town is
exhibited in the alanya museum. The important ruins of
the town remaining at present are observatory towers,
Caracalla excedra, odeon or theatre, Zeus Megistos
temple, Apollon temple, Caesar temple, agora, bath and
necropolis. According to the inscriptions that are
available, this area lived its best period between the
first and third centuries. Other important art
discovered in the town is 'diploma of a Roman soldier'
being exhibited in the Alanya Museum, which gives
information about military aspect of the town. The ruins
are dated from Roman period. Visit to the site is
free.
lotape
It is 33 km. to the east of Alanya, on
the coast. The antique city got its name from Iotape,
wife of Antiochus 4 of Kommagene king (A.D. 38-72). The
city printed its owner coin during the period from
Emperor Trianus to Valerianus. The ruins have features
of Roman and Byzantine Period. The acropolis of the city
is the high hill extending to the sea. The castle walls
gives appearance of castle. The buildings are destroyed
considerably. In the valley where acropolis is connected
to the land, there is Harbour street extending in east
and west direction. On both sides of the street, there
are crepis consisting of three steps and fundamentals
for sculptures.
The written fundamentals of the
sculptures contain information about successful athletes
and charity loving citizens of the town. In the bay
located on east of acropolis there is basilica in
rectangular shape with three nephs. There are traces of
frescoes inside the small church in the town. In the
frest Hagios Georgios Stratelates was figured. Another
building still remains in the city is bath. The sewage
system of the bath can still be seen. On the modern road
passing through the city center there is ruin of a
temple in 8*12.5 m. Size. Necropolis of the Iotape is on
the north and south hills of the city. Beside monumental
tombs there are also small tomb. Structures covered with
vaults in the city.Entrance to the ruins is free and it
takes about two hours to see around. Small bay with
harbour ruins has an ideal beach to have a swim.
Beaches
The coast of Alanya consists of wide
beaches and they have Blue Flag. Blue Flag is an
international practice that determines and inspects the
cleanness of the sea water and beach standarts. Blue
Flag is to the beaches that conforms with these
qualities and it is valid for one year. Every fortnight
microbiological and physiochemical analyses of the water
is done. In Alanya the colour of the sea turns to
turquoise from blue. In still weather it is possible to
see the fish deep in the sea. It is common of fish
wandering around your feet. The west and east coast of
Alanya are beaches. In the west, are Damlataş and
Cleopatra beaches and in the east are Keykubat and
Portakal beaches. Out of the city, there are come
beaches like Ulaş, Konaklı, Fuğla, İncekum, Mahmutlar.
Alanya beaches are miles long.
Besides the beaches,
there are some natural beaches next to the motorway,
under the slope of a hill or among some ancient ruins
which awaits its guests who prefer being just with the
nature and the history. The rules of local
administrations as well as the international ones are
applied at the beaches in Alanya city centre. In
accordance with these, entrance to the beaches and the
showers are free. Deck chairs and beach umbrellas are
provided in return of money; however it is not
obligatory to seek these service. At buffets in the
beaches there are no price difference. At the beaches no
boats and water sports vehicles are allowed within a
certain distance from the coast; swimming areas are
determined with barriers.
Damlataş
Beach
To the west of the historical peninsula,
in front of Damlataş Cave. It has a Blue Flag. The sea
and the beach is sandy. The beach leans backwards the
skirts of peninsula. The small bay of this beach
extending to the peninsula and made of stones is called
Cleopatra. According to the mythology Egyption Queen
Cleopatra, in a voyage in Mediterranean, stopped by in
Alanya and had a swim in this bay. The special feature
of Cleopatra Bay is that the clearness of its water.
People who are looking for a long swimming coarse can
swim along the coast to Fosforlu Cave under the
peninsula. If you have a goggles you can see the fish
and other services due to payment.
Cleopatra
Beach
A part of Damlataş Beach, it is about 2
km long. It has a Blue Flag. Its sea and beach is sandy.
It has a wide beach. The depth of the sea reaches height
of a man after 3-4 steps. It is the most popular beach
of Alanya; in summer thousands of people come here. In
some parts behind the beach are sports fields, parks,
hotels and cafes. Along the beach are some water sport
enterprises such as parachute, jet ski, sea bicycle,
etc; entertainment water sports activities are done
beyond swimming area. Entrance is free; deck chairs,
umbrellas are due to payment. About every 50 metres you
can a refresment stall; in refreshment stalls fast food
and drinks are available. Sunset creates a beautiful
view here in this beach.
Keykubat
Beach
Situated to the east of the peninsula, it
is 3 km long starting from the Municipality building and
on. It owns a Blue Flag. The sea and the beach is sandy,
there are some sand rocks in some parts. Because of the
parks and gren area of the hotels along the beach, it is
also called Begonvil Beach. Like Cleopatra, this is also
a popular beach. In the coast you can find all kinds of
water sports activities. Entrance is free; beach
services are due to payment. Deck chairs, umbrellas can
be found from the refreshment stalls located in every 50
metres. The restaurants and cafes of the hotels also
welcome people coming. You can go on a boat trip from
the quays of some of the hotels.
Mahmutlar
Beach
In about 16 km east of Alanya. The
sea and the beach is sandy, in some parts sand rock.
Some parts of the coast that is about 5 km. are natural
beaches. In the parts where there are refreshment
stalls, deck chairs and umbrellas are available.
Entrance is free. Mahmutlar coast is on Alanya-Gazipaşa
road and there are public buses to the area all day
long.
Caves
It is possible to call
alanya 'a city of caves' You can discover the mysterious
world of land and sea caves in Alanya. While wandering
about the fascinating world of land and sea caves in
Alanya. While wandering about the fascinating world of
stalactites and stalagmites formed in thousands of years
in land caves, you will also witness the forming of new
stalactites and stalagmites. This witness, with the
scenery created by the lighting inside the cave, will
take you into a fantasy film. The world famous cave of
Alanya is Damlataş Cave. The air in Damlataş is
beneficial to the patients of asthma and doctors advise
their patients o visit this cave. Kadıini Cave, which is
not open for visit yet, is the settlement for the people
of alanya 20 thousand years ago. Also the sea caves down
under the peninsula are the places where ancient
mythological tories took place.
Damlataş
Cave
Damlataş Cave was discovered in 1948
quite by accident while minig for building of the
harbour. It is located at the western foot of hold
peninsula. There is a 50 m passage at the entrance.
After the passage there comes a cylinderical cavity.
This leads to the basement of the cave. The stalactite
and stalagmites inside the cave were formed in 15
thousand years. Besides its fascinating beauty the cave
is famous with its air which is beneficial to asthmatic
patients. Following the rumors that asthmatic benefited
from breathing the air in the cave, scientists analyzed
a sample of the air to verify the fact that the air was
indeed beneficial to patients suffering from
non-allergic asthme. They found that the air in the cave
contains 10 to 12 times more carbon dioxide than normal
air and has % 95 humidity. Temperature in the cave is 22
degrees centigrade. Both the radioactivity and
ionization in the cave may contribute to the benefits
derived from breathing the air in the cave. Entrance is
due to payment. There is a small market around and in
front of the cave is a beach.
Dim Cave
It is located 12 km east of Alanya, on
the slope of Cebel-i Reis Mountain of 1,649 metres. It
has an altitude of 232 m. The cave is introduced to the
visitors in 1998 and it is the second biggest cave known
to the visitors. It is estimated to be 1 million years
old. There are two paths inside the cave one is of 50 m,
the other of 360 metres. There is a small lake towards
the and of the cave.
The 360 m. Long path is
prepared and illuminated, so as to provide a pleasant
excursion offering a tremendous scenery of stalagmite
and stallactite for the visitors. After the excursion
you can go down the path to Dim Creek valley or you can
take the walk up the cave from the picnic area near the
creek. There is a panoramic view of Alanya Fortress at
the slope where the cave takes place. There are public
buses going to the cave. Entrance is due to payment.
Kadiini Cave
Situated about 15 km north-east of
Alanya, at a place called Çatak. There are stalagmites
and stalactites three times bigger than the ones in
Damlataş Cave. In the researches carried out in 1957
scientists found some human skeletons and fossils. They
also found that these foundings belonged to the time of
20 thousands years ago and the first sttlement in alanya
had been here. There are picnic areas in the vicinity.
The cave has not been introduced to visitors yet.
Korsanlar
Cave
It's a sea cave under the historical
peninsula where there is the Alanya Castle. Sea
transportation is done by boats. Around the peninsula,
according to the tour programmes, it's the first cave.
Little boats can enter the cave. You can also swim to
enter the cave. There was a rumour that there was a
hidden path reaching the castle and the pirates of
ancient time took out their booty from this path to the
upward part of the castle. The image of the rocks under
the sea makes the cave more mysterious.
Aşıklar Cave
The cave, situated by the side of the
historical peninsula, has got two entrances. After the
boat comes alongside the rocks towards Cilvarda
promontory, it's able to reach the cave by rock
climbing. You can reach the low entrance with a few
steps. It's 75 m. Long. Since it has a low ceiling, you
sometimes bend down while walking.
The altitude of
the entrance on the side of Damlataş Cave from the sea
is 8m. And you can jump into the sea here. All that
moment the boat turns round Cilvarda promontory, gathers
the people from the sea and goes on the excursion.
However, there can be some people who don't want to jump
into the sea at the last moment and it's more difficult
for them to step down the rocks, so what you'll do is at
first stuffing up your nose and then diving into the sea
with a huge scream. There was a rumour that the pirates
hid their booty and girls in this cave. It's thoughtthat
the cave was named as Lovers Cave as the couples dated
thre secretly.
Fosforlu Cave
It's a sea cave on the side of Damlataş
Cave in the peninsula. Little boats are able to enter
the cave. Because of its geological construction the
ground shines almost as if phosphorecently at nights due
to the reflection of the moonlight. It's also possible
to notice the glitter in the daytime. There are also the
short swimming breaks in front of the cave as swimming
here is an enjoyable experience.
The Taurus
Mountains
Although Alanya is on the
coast of the Mediterranean, its back rests on Western
Taurus. The Taurus Mountains are of essential importance
in the life of Alanya people. Going to pasture in the
mountains and spending the summer there is a
thousand-year's Turkoman tradition. Up until the last
century, the villagers used to leave their villages with
the coming of spring and go to pasture. On the plains of
the Taurus exceeding thousand meters, the tents made of
goat hair were pitched and while on one side flocks were
put out the pasture on the other side people makes
cheese and butter and weave carpets and rugs. The
pasturage culture today exists in the luxurious cottages
instead of the tents for people to go there and have a
cool weekend holiday. The Taurus hold the unique beauty
of the nature with its pine and cedar trees covered by
forests, deep valleys, peaks in clouds and rivers coming
from peaks. Nowadays the pastures are commonly visited
by both local and foreign tourists; old Turkmen
traditions do still exist in these daily picnic
areas.
Dim River
Dim Brook takes its source from the
Taurus and flows to the Mediterranean from the east of
Alanya; there are picnic areas on the coast of it which
is 15 km inside from the coast of the Mediterranean. In
summer the tables of field restaurants under the old
plane trees are set in the brook. The guests sit there
bare feet in the brook. What's more, authentic tables
with cushions are set on the wooden terraces on the
slopes close to the brook and by the brook. In some
restaurants, tables are on the rafts. The valley covered
by forests is cool even in the summer. The commonly
preferred dish in this area is usually trout. The trout
are kept in the pools in restaurant gardens. They are
usually fried, cooked in a crock or grilled. Also, there
are some sites in the area proper for mountain-biking
and trekking.
Türbelinas
Pleteau
It is on the north east part of the city.
It's possible to go there with an hour driving inside
the Taurus. Also safari tours by jeep convoys are
organised. The road is a bit curved but it is paved with
asphalt. It's possible that you see a barber shaving his
customer under the old plane trees, and if you wish you
can also have a shave in the middle of the street. You
can see that drinks are kept in the water troughs
instead of fridges to become cooler there. You will feel
the pure oxygen in the air filled in your lungs and may
wish to take a long walk at that moment. It's
recommended that you have 'köy tavuğu' (village chicken)
cooked with butter and tomato sauce in the pan that is
eaten by dipping your bread in its sauce, as your dish
in pasture restaurants. There is Gedevet Pasture, a few
kilometres before Türbelinas Pasture and other pastures
in the area are Pınarbaşı, Türktaş, Gökbel, Söbüçimen
and Mahmutseydi.
Dereköy
Plateau
It's a plateau country situated on the
side of the valley where Kargı Brook flows in the south
of Alanya. It was founded between the pine trees and
vegetable fruit gardens. You can go there using the 30
km. asphalt road. The forest is convenient for people to
take a picnic and go for a walk. You can do shopping
from the country grocer and then drink a stewed tea in
the country cafe. There are also country restaurants
offering meat dishes.
Söğüt Plateau
It's located in the inner parts of the
Taurus Mountains. You can reach the plateau from the
bank of Demirtaş Brook, using a stabilized road where
there are citrus fruits gardens, green houses,
greengrowths and pine trees. From Demirtaş, Kaş is in 30
km, Sapadere in 35 km, Tokar in 40 km and Söğüt Pasture
in 50 km. There are country cafes and restaurants in
plateau countries.
Museums
There are four museums in
Alanya. These are the Museum of Archaeology, that of
Ethnography, Museum of İçkale and Museum of AtatürkÕs
House. All of the museums are under control of the Head
Office of Museums in Alanya and you have to pay for a
visit. They are all open to visitors during the week
except for lunch breaks.
The most important work in
Alanya is the statue of Heracleus exhibited in the
museum of Archaeology. Kızılkule in the harbour is
designed as the museum of Ethnography. İçkale, built as
the palace of the Sultan Alaaddin during the
reconstruction of the city in the 13th century, is now a
museum and open to visitors.
Museum
Archaeology
The Museum of Archaeology in Alanya
opened in 1967, on the arrival of articles of Bronze
Age, and those belonged to Urartu, Frig and Lidya from
the Museum of Anatolian Civilization in Ankara. The
museum has been enriched with the work found in the
excavations that have been carried out recently.
The
museum has a part of archeology and a part of
ethnography. The oldest article found near Alanya and
exhibited in the archaeology clivision of the museum is
a stone inscription written in phoenician language and
it dates back to 625 BC. The statue of Heracleus, made
of bronze and dating back to 2nd century BC is exhibited
in another part. There are vast collections of ash boxes
and coins in the Museum of Archaeology in Alanya, along
with the things found and belonging to the archaic,
classical and Byzantine era, the Hellen period and these
are made of bronze, marble, fired soil, glass and
mosaic. Furthermore, the museum has works of
Turkish-Islamic world of Selcuks and Ottomans. In the
division of ethnography there are things like carpets of
Turkoman nomadic tribes, colourful sacks, saddle-bags,
clothes, samples of ornaments, guns, household goods for
daily use, accessories, manuscripts and writing sets
that have been collected from the surrounding areas and
reflecting the folkloric character of the region and a
room of a old Alanya house are all exhibited. There are
also stone works of Romans, Byzantine and Islamic
periods in the garden of the museum. You have to pay for
a visit to the museum which is open during the whole
week.
Museum of
Etnography
Kızılkule, which is in the harbour and is
a work of Selcuks of the 13th century, is at the same
time the museum of ethnography. The ground floor and the
first floor of the five-storey tower have been designed
as museums. In the museum there are carpets, rugs,
clothes, household goods, guns, scales, devices of
illumination, and looms peculiar to Alanya and
ethnographic works like the tent representing the
Turkoman nomadic tribe culture in the Taurus Mountains.
Sometimes that historical building welcomes cultural or
art activities such as exhibitions of painting or
classical music concerts. You can catch a view of the
panoramic landscape of the eastern part of the city and
the way of settlement on the historical peninsula at the
top floor of the tower. Moreover, you can go to the
walls from the tower and walk feeling history. You have
to pay for a visit to Red Tower.
Museum of
İçkale
It is in the historical citadel, at the
peak of the peninsula lying towards the Mediterranean.
The palace of Alaaddin Keykubat, the Sultan of Selcuks
was found as the result of the excavations carried out
for years. Some excavations are still in progress.
There's a little church of Byzantine Period, just
opposite the ruins of the palace in İçkale. The church
known as the church of Aya Yorgi or of Hagios Georgios
is thought to have been built in the 6th century. It is
like a clover in shape and the only building that does
not belong to Selcuks Period in İçkale, and it can be
seen today as a proof of their tolerance for different
religions. There are traces of frescos, however rare, on
the inner walls of the church. From the part called
Seyirlik in İçkale you can see the Taurus Mountains
above and the western wing of Alanya below. The cistern
on a cliff in İçkale is known as Adam Atacağı. According
to a legend, those who were sentenced to death were
allowed to throw there pebbles to the sea, otherwise
they would be put in a big sack and thrown downwards.
The cistern of 15 metres in depth is said to have been a
dungeon. Exhibitions of painting take place in one of
the halls in İçkale. You have to pay for a visit to
İçkale.
Museum of Atatürk's
House
This is the house where Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic stayed for a
while when he visited Alanya on 18 February 1935. The
owner of the house, Mr. Rıfat Azakoğlu left it to
Ministry of Culture to be preserved as a museum. The
three-storey building situated in a garden reflcts the
19th century Turkish architecture. In the ground floor,
Atatürk's personal belongings, photographs, the telegram
that Atatürk sent to people of Alanya and some other
historical documents are exhibited. The rooms upstairs
are decorated with some traditional furniture.
