The city that is now Antalya was first settled around 200 BC by the Attalid dynasty of Pergamon, which was soon conquered by the Romans. Roman rule saw Antalya thrive, including the construction of several new monuments, such as Hadrian's Gate, and the flourishing of nearby ancient cities such as Patara, Xanthos and Myra in the Lycia region; Perga, Aspendos and Side in Pamphylia; and Sagalassos, Antioch and Termessos in Pisidia. These cities were already significant centers before Roman influence. Antalya has changed hands several times, including to the Seljuk Empire in 1207 and an expanding Ottoman Empire in 1391.[7] Ottoman rule brought relative peace and stability for the next five hundred years. The city was occupied by Italy for three years in the aftermath of World War I, but was recaptured by a newly independent Turkey in the Turkish War of Independence.
While the city itself only has modest elevation changes, Antalya has high mountains in all directions to its interior. With moisture being trapped, the local climate thus has high winter rainfall, while the interior bay setting result in very hot summers for a coastal city.
The city is Turkey's biggest international sea resort on the Turkish Riviera. Large-scale development and governmental funding has made it a prime destination for tourists. Antalya is currently the fourth-most visited city in the world, trailing behind only Istanbul, London, and Dubai, attracting more than 16.5 million foreign visitors in 2023.[8][9]
The city was founded as "Attaleia" (Ancient Greek: Ἀττάλεια), named after its founder Attalos II, king of Pergamon.[10] This name, still in use in Greek, was later evolved in Turkish as Adalia and then Antalya.[11] Attaleia was also the name of a festival at Delphi and Attalis (Greek: Ἀτταλίς) was the name of an old Greek tribe at Athens.[12][13] Despite the close similarity, there is no connection with the name Anatolia.
The city is popular for its waterfalls.Ancient monuments include the City Walls, Hıdırlık Tower, Hadrian's Gate (also known as Triple Gate), and the Clock Tower.
: constructed in the 2nd century by the Romans in honor of the Emperor Hadrian.
Hadrian's Gate
İskele Mosque: A 19th-century Mosque near the marina.
: A Medrese (Islamic theological seminary) built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay.
Karatay Medrese
(Broken Minaret) Mosque: Once a Roman temple then converted to a Byzantine Panayia church and finally into a mosque.
Kesik Minare
Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque: An 18th-century Mosque built in honor of Tekeli Mehmet Paşa.
Yat Limanı: the harbour dating to Roman era.
(Fluted Minaret) Mosque: Built by the Seljuks and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles. This minaret eventually became the symbol of the city.
Yivli Minare
: A historic Ottoman mosque located in the city center.
Murat Pasha Mosque
Aya Yorgi Church (Saint George Church): A historic church built by the of Antalya which is currently used as a museum housing exhibitions of historical artifacts.
Greeks
Saint Alypius Church: A tiny historic church which is still currently a functioning Orthodox Church.
Greek Orthodox
Sultan Aladdin Mosque: A historic building built as a church in 1834 and converted into a mosque in the 1950s and currently used as a Mosque.
Greek Orthodox
Ahi Yusuf Mosque: A historic mosque built in the year of 1249 and is possibly one of the oldest mosques in Antalya or even the oldest.
Ahi Kizi Masjid: Historic located in the old town.
masjid
Kara Molla Masjid: Tiny historic masjid built in the 14th century.
Balibey Mosque: A historic mosque built by the Bali Pasha.
vizier
Müsellim Mosque: A small historic mosque built by Hacı Osmanoğlu Mehmed Ağa in 1796.
Antalya Synagogue: A historic used as house currently in the Balbey neighborhood between Kavakli Masjid and the Balbey Kesik Minaret Mosque.
Synagogue
Mevlevihane (Dervish lodge museum): A former Dervish lodge housing a museum about and Sufism.
