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Museums
Side Museum : Hamam of the antic agora, remaining from 5th and
6th century A. D., against the agora, which belongs to Roman Period,
is restored on 1960 / 61, and turned into a museum. Most of the
pieces of art exhibited within the Museum, are the findings revealed
during the excavations performed between 1947 and 1967 in Side antic
city by Prof. Dr. Arif Müfid Mansel. From Hellenistic, Roman and
Byzantium Period; inscriptions, gun relieves, Statues, torsos, tombs,
portraits, ostotexes, amphorae, altars, tomb stalls, column heads
and column pedestals, which are the copies of Greek originals, built
in Roman Period, are being exhibited.
Antique Cities
Side : Side, which is 7 km. away from Manavgat, is an ancient
settlement center. Side, which is mentioned by historians as founded
on 1405 A. D., had met with the reigns of Lydian, Persian, Alexander
The Great's, Antiogonous's, Ptolemaioses, respectively beginning
from the second half of VIth century A. D. After 215 A. D., The
city, which is improved under supervision of Syrian Kingdom, and
turned into a science and cultural center, had left to Bergama Kingdom
on A. D. with Apameia peace, then had protected its independence
with Eastern Pamphilya region, and reached to a great richness and
prosperity with a huge commercial fleet. It entered under Byzantium
reign after Roman reign after 78 B. C. Side, which was a Bishop
center during Vth and VIth centuries, had lived its greatest times
during these years. Main gate of the city, which has a unique labor,
is between two towers. There are two main streets in Side province.
These streets are samples of columned streets of Ancient Age. After
passing city gate, flat stones adorned area is the starting point
of this street. There are columned porticos beside both sides of
these streets, and shops behind them. There is a "Nymphaeum",
biggest historical fountain of Anatolia, against city gate, outside
ramparts. A wide pool place is below this foundation. You can reach
to a monumental structure, passing through a street after theater.
This building with dimensions of 100x100 m., is an agora. Agora,
which is the Bazaar area of the city, is surrounded by porticos
and there are shops at three sides of it. There is a Gymnasium,
surrounded by porticos and composed of three halls, on the street,
south side of the Agora. In the main street at North - south direction,
there is an arched structure, constructed during Roman Period. Importance
of Side city's theater, in connection with architecture, is its
construction on arched places instead of a slope of a hill like
other roman theaters. Theater, which is composed of three divisions,
cavea, orchestra and scene, is the biggest and most monumental one
among Pamphylia theaters, and has a capacity of 20.000 spectators.
There are wide cemeteries outside of Side's ramparts, and most important
one of these, Western Necropolis, is 1,5 km. away. There are also
temples and aqueducts in Side. Most important ones of the temples
are Athena, Apollon and Men temples. Water of side is brought from
Dumanlı source, within Oymapınar Dam Lake, approximately 25 km.
away. This water transportation system is composed of ten aqueducts,
of which some of them are two layered. Biggest one is near to Oymapınar
and has 40 specs. A huge Roman Hamam is turned into a museum, and
hosts for most beautiful archeological pieces of art collection
of the region. The city, which is reigned by Seljukians during XIIIth
century, Hamitoğulları and Tekelioğulları during XIVth century,
and finally Ottoman Empire during XVth century, was not a settlement
during this period. Although most parts of the city ramparts, which
are holding structure and characteristics of Roman and Byzantium
periods, has been demolished today, nearly all of the ramparts at
land side had remained.
Selge : You can reach to Selge, which is an ancient mountain
city, near to Köprü Stream (Eurymdon) at south slope of Toroslar,
35 km. north of Serik, from a 14 km. stabilized road with steep
bends after Köprülü Canyon National Park. There are engraved rocks,
coverin whole slope of the mountain and similar to Fairy Chimneys
at Göreme on the road passing from köprülü canyon, which is very
rich in connection to natural beauty. City, which was belong to
Psidia and then taken into Pampheylia territories, had been reigned
by Lydia, Persia, Alexander the Great and Roman governments, respectively.
It is theater with 5 gates and 45 stairs at north is an important
monument. At the south of rock engraved theater, stadium and gymnasium,
and at west a Ionian type temple, whose ceiling is adorned with
eagle décor, draws the attention. At the south of the stadium, there
are Fountain and Agora. At the north of the ramparts lying southwest
of the city, Artemis and Zeus monuments as well as necropolis present.
Seleukia : This antique city, which is 23 km. northeast of
Side, and one hour away from Sinler Village by foot, is founded
by Selevkos. There is a very beautiful natural appearance of the
antic city, which is especially adorned with pine forests. From
the city, which is placed on a hill, you can see all plains and
sea. Two storey agora, basilica, cistern and sewerage system can
be mentioned as the sign of development of the city. Mosaics, which
are revealed during the city excavations, are exhibited in Antalya
Museum today.
Etenna : Etenna, which is 29 km. north of Manavgat, is founded
on the hill, which is at the upper part of today's Sırt Village.
At the top of the city, which is thought as a bishop center during
Byzantium period, there is an Acropolis, which is composed of terraces
surrounded by ramparts, and at the best preserved and highest slopes
of the city. There is a Herron (a tomb for an exalted person) at
the south of the city. Basilica, agora, church, hamam and cisterns
are important historical ruins other than these.
Inns
Alara Inn : When you go 9 km. to the west after Manavgat, you
can reach to Alara Inn. It is constructed on 13th century, by Seljukians
for maintaining commercial connection between capital city of south
coasts, Alanya and Konya. This maintained the people, who were traveling
with caravansaries and merchants for spending the night and rest
securely and comfortably.
High Plateaus : There are lots of plateaus on the Toros Mountains,
which is divided into two by Köprüçayı Valley. Most important ones
are Güğlenpınar and Beloluk Plateaus, Avanos Beliği, in Tefekli
Region, Gücer Plateau, Kesikbeli, Akçaalan Plateau, Topalceviz,
Alıç and Demre Plateaus, Dumanlı Plateau as well as at the feet
of the Bozburun Mountain İkiz Plateau. Most of the villagers are
going to the plateaus for summer.
Sports Activities
Jeep - Safari : Tourism agencies in Antalya, Kemer, Side and
Alanya are organizing Jeep Safari tours to Toros mountains. Daily
tours are beginning at the early hours of the days, and continue
till to the night with experiencing Offroad emotion.
Horse Riding : There are wide areas for horse riding in some
hotels. There are English, Arab and Haflinger horses. Horse riding
and jumping courses are performed for hourly or daily visits. Meanwhile,
tours through river or to mountains are organized for minimum three
days and maximum seven days.
Rafting : Köprüçay, Manavgat and Dragon rivers, as well as
Cehennem Stream are perfect routes for rafting.
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