Kaleici district (Antalya) – the old area of the city, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the southern part of the resort. Thanks to its numerous historical monuments, proximity to the sea and well-established tourist infrastructure, the area has gained incredible popularity among guests of Turkey. Just a couple of decades ago, the Kaleichi area did not arouse any interest among travelers. But after the authorities of Antalya carried out restoration work on the territory, the Old City found a new life. What is Kaleichi, and what sights are represented in it, we will tell you in detail below.
Historical background
More than two millennia ago, the ruler of Pergamum, Attalus II, set out to build a city in the most beautiful place on earth. To do this, the lord instructed his subjects to find a paradise that could arouse the envy of all the kings of the world. After wandering for several months in search of a paradise on earth, the riders discovered an incredibly beautiful area that stretches at the foot of the Tauride Mountains and is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It was here that King Attalus ordered the construction of a city, which he named Attalia in his honor.
After its heyday, the city became a tasty morsel for many peoples. The area was encroached upon by the Romans, Arabs, and even sea pirates. As a result, in 133 BC Antalya was in the hands of the Roman Empire. It was with the arrival of the Romans that the Kaleici district appeared here. Surrounded by fortress walls, the quarter grew up near the port and had an important strategic importance. After the conquest of the area by Ottoman troops in the 15th century, Antalya turned into an ordinary provincial city, and in the Kaleici area, traditional Islamic buildings appeared next to Roman and Byzantine structures.
Today, Kaleici in Turkey covers an area of more than 35 hectares and includes 4 districts. Now it is called the Old City of Antalya, and it is not surprising, because most of the ancient buildings have been preserved almost in their original form. A few years ago, Kaleici underwent a grand restoration, with cafes, restaurants and miniature hotels appearing. So, the Old Town has become a popular tourist center, where you can not only touch the history of different civilizations, but also have a nice time in a local cafe, admiring the Mediterranean scenery.
Attractions
Once in the Old Town of Kaleici in Antalya, you will immediately realize how much the area contrasts with the rest of the resort. This is a completely different place, where different eras and civilizations are intertwined before your eyes. Ancient Roman buildings, mosques and towers allow us to trace the history of Kaleici from its very origins to the present day. Walking around the area, you will definitely feel the hospitality of the narrow streets, where miniature cafes and cozy restaurants are located. Ancient houses wrapped in ivy and flowers, a pier with views of the mountains and the sea make this place ideal for contemplation and reflection.
The Old Town has a lot of ancient attractions. Below we will tell you about the objects that cause the greatest tourist interest:
Hadrian’s Gate
Often in the photo of the Old Town of Kaleici in Antalya, you can see the triple arch of ancient times. This is the famous gate, built in 130 in honor of the ancient Roman emperor Hadrian, when he decided to visit the area. The Arc de Triomphe is the entrance to the Kaleici district. Initially, the building had two tiers and, according to some researchers, was decorated with sculptures of the emperor and members of his family. Today we can only see the first tier, decorated with marble columns with carved friezes. The gate is located between two stone towers, the construction of which dates back to a later period.
Interestingly, on the ancient pavement at the gate, centuries-old traces of carts and even horses ‘ hooves are still visible. To avoid trampling them, the Turkish authorities installed a small metal bridge under the central arch. You can visit the attraction at any time for free.
Yivli Minaret
After passing through the Hadrian’s Gate and entering the Old Town, you will immediately notice the high minaret located in the heart of the area. It was erected in Turkey in the 13th century as a symbol of the victories of the Seljuk conquerors in the Mediterranean. Yivli is built in the style of early Islamic architecture, and the design of the minaret is quite unusual: it seems to be cut by eight semi-cylindrical lines, which gives the structure grace and lightness. The exterior of the building is decorated with brick mosaics, and at the top there is a balcony from where the muezzin once called the faithful to prayers.
The height of the building is 38 meters, due to which it can be seen from many points in Antalya. The tower is reached by 90 steps, the original number of which was 99: this is exactly how many names God has in the Islamic religion. Today, a small museum operates inside Yivli, where ancient manuscripts, various robes and jewelry, as well as household items of Islamic monks are displayed. You can visit the minaret between prayers for free.
Iskele Mosque
If you look at the map of Kaleichi with attractions in Russian, you will see a modest building located on the shore of a yacht pier. Compared to other mosques in Turkey, Iskele is a relatively young temple: after all, it is just over a hundred years old. According to history, the architects searched for a long time for a place to build a future mosque, and when they found a spring near the harbor in the Old City, they considered the spring as a good sign and built a shrine here.
The structure is completely built of stone, supported by four columns, in the center of which there is a fountain of water from the aforementioned spring. Iskele is quite modest in size and is considered one of the smallest mosques in Turkey. Around the temple, under the lush foliage of trees, there are several benches where you can hide from the scorching sun and enjoy views of the sea surface.
Khydyrlyk Tower
Another permanent symbol of the Old Town of Kaleici in Turkey is considered to be the Khydyrlyk Tower. The structure appeared in the 2nd century during the Roman Empire, but its true purpose is still a mystery. Some researchers believe that the tower for many centuries served as a lighthouse for ships. Others suggest that the structure was built for additional defense of the fortress walls surrounding Kaleichi. And some scholars even believe that Khydyrlyk was the tomb of one of the Roman high-ranking officials.
The Khydyrlyk tower in Turkey is a stone structure with a height of about 14 m, consisting of a square base and a cylinder mounted on it. Once the building was covered with a pointed dome, which was destroyed in the Byzantine era. If you walk around the building, you will come to its backyard, where an old cannon still stands. In the evenings, beautiful lights are turned on here, and tourists use this background to take unforgettable photos from Kaleici in Antalya.
Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi)
Compared to other attractions of the Old Town, the Clock Tower is a fairly young historical monument. The main decoration of the building was the facade clock, presented to Sultan Abdul Hamid II by the last German Emperor Wilhelm II. Historians agree that this gift was the reason for the construction of the tower. It is noteworthy that after the appearance of Saat Kulesa in Antalya, similar buildings began to appear throughout Turkey.
The design of the Clock Tower includes two tiers. The first floor is a pentagonal structure with a height of 8 m, made of rough masonry. The second tier is occupied by a rectangular tower with a height of 6 m, built of smooth stone, on which the donated clock flaunts. On the north side, a metal spire is still installed, where previously the bodies of executed criminals were hung for public display. Today it is one of the most interesting sights of the Old Town, which has gained great popularity among tourists.
Observation deck
In 2014, a very convenient innovation appeared in Antalya, Turkey – a panoramic elevator that lets people down from Republic Square directly to the Old City. A viewing platform is located next to the lift, offering scenic views of the harbour, the Kaleici area and the old beach of Mermerli.
The elevator descends to a distance of 30 m. The cabin is quite spacious: up to 15 people can easily enter it. In addition, the elevator is made of glass, so that during the ascent and descent, you can take photos of Kaleichi from completely different angles. During the summer season, a lot of tourists gather here, so sometimes you have to wait a few minutes to get down. But there is also good news – the elevator can be used completely free of charge.
Accommodation in Kaleici
Hotels in Kaleici in Antalya are more like guesthouses and can not boast of stars. As a rule, hotels are located in local houses and are equipped with only a few rooms. Some larger establishments may include a small swimming pool and their own restaurant. A distinctive advantage of local hotels is their location: all of them are located in the Old Town in close proximity to the main attractions and the sea.
Today, booking services offer more than 70 accommodation options in Kaleici Antalya. During the summer season, the cost of booking a double room in the hotel starts from 100 TL per day. On average, the price fluctuates between 200 TL. Most establishments include breakfast in the price. If you prefer five-star hotels operating on an all-inclusive system, then it is best to stay in the Lara or Konyalti districts.
Useful tips
- Before heading to the Old Town, explore Kaleici on the Antalya map. You should set aside at least 3 hours to visit the block. And to enjoy the atmosphere of the area and all its opportunities, you will need a whole day.
- If you plan to use public transport frequently in Antalya, Turkey, we recommend that you purchase a special Antalya Kart card. With it, travel will be cheaper.
- For budget travelers, we recommend having lunch and dinner at the Ozkan Kebap oz Anamurlular dining room. It is located just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town center and offers a rich selection of dishes at very low prices. In general, it should be borne in mind that in the center of Kaleichi, the price tags in establishments are several times higher than in its surroundings.
- If you would like to take a boat trip during your tour of Kaleici, you can find such an opportunity at the Old Town yacht pier.
Conclusion
Many tourists are used to imagining Antalya as a seaside resort with five-star hotels, completely forgetting about the rich history of Turkey. When visiting the city, it would be a mistake to avoid its historical monuments and old quarters. Therefore, when visiting the resort, be sure to set aside at least a couple of hours to explore Kaleici, Antalya. After doing this, you will be amazed at how diverse and ambiguous Turkey and its cities can be.