Kaleiçi, a large part of which has been demolished and destroyed, is enclosed by horseshoe-shaped inner and outer walls. The walls are a shared work of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. There are 80 towers on the walls. Within the walls, there are around 3,000 houses with tiled roofs. The distinctive structures of the houses not only provide insights into the architectural history of Antalya but also reflect the lifestyle, traditions, and customs of the region. In 1972, the inner harbor of Antalya and the Kaleiçi district were designated as a "SİT area" (site of cultural heritage) under the protection of the "High Council for Monuments and Antiquities of Immovable Cultural Heritage" due to its original fabric. The "Antalya - Kaleiçi Complex" restoration project received the Golden Apple Tourism Oscar from FİJET on April 28, 1984, awarded by the Ministry of Tourism.
Hadrian's Gate, also known as the Three Gates, is a monumental triumphal arch built on the city walls surrounding Antalya in honor of the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian in 130 AD. It consists of a three-arched gate with four marble columns on each side and two towers on its sides. The upper floor of the gate has not survived to the present day. The lower floor of the gate, which was unearthed in 1882, was restored to its original state in a major restoration in 1959.
Mermerli Beach, located in Kaleiçi, is the only sandy beach between the high travertine cliffs on both sides of the yacht harbor. Situated in a small cove south of the harbor, Mermerli Beach was named after the Marble Pavilion once located on a high terrace to the southeast of the harbor. With the yacht harbor on its shore, the city walls and towers behind it, Mermerli Beach actually hosts a historic legacy of thousands of years. In addition to its historical texture, Mermerli Beach offers a captivating atmosphere with the splendid view of the travertine cliffs, Antalya Bay, the Mediterranean, and Beydağları (Bey Mountains). Local historians state that Mermerli Beach was used as a bathing area in the 1930s, where a beach area near the coast was enclosed with wooden partitions.
Built in 1901 by Grand Vizier Küçük Sait Paşa in honor of Sultan Abdülhamit II. The dome on top of the tower, which was present until the 1940s, was reinstalled during the renovation work in 2022.
In Antalya, where summers are hot and winters are mild, the construction of old houses focuses more on preventing sun exposure than cold. Shaded stone platforms and courtyards are features that facilitate air circulation. Built on three floors with an entrance that serves as a storage and hallway.
Antalya's first Turkish structure. Located near the harbor in the center. According to the inscription on it, it was built during the reign of Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat (1219-1236). Its body, built with bricks, consists of eight half cylinders. The mosque next to the minaret must have been demolished, as it dates back to a later period, 1372. It was built by a architect named Tavaşi Balaban during the Hamitoğulları period, a Turkish Beylik.
In Antalya, the cliffs start immediately after the end of Konyaaltı and end at Karpuzkaldıran, where the rocks meet the sea again. Actually, this place is within the boundaries of Muratpaşa, the central district of Antalya. In short, it can be said that this trip consists of lush parks stretching over rugged cliffs and sea breaks in between. When you climb from Konyaaltı to Varyant, stop and look at a view first! Konyaaltı, Kemer road, Beydağları offer you a wonderful view.
