Turkey

Kaleiçi, the heart of Antalya

From greek dreams through pirate adventures to a modern metropolis

It was when the Roman Empire temporary weakened around the 1st and 2nd centuries BC and could not impose its laws on the seas that the pirates had their golden time along the southern coast of today's Turkey. They set up one of their camps in this town that we call today Kaleici and which had been founded beforehand in the second century BC by the greeks. Was this spot chosen to be a base because the harbour was well protected from sea storms? Or because from the steep banks they could look far on the sea to check any coming enemy? Who knows, but in any case, Kaleici became an important hub. But before long Rome, having enough of the pirates hurting the maritime trade, sweeped away the piracy. Being the town integrated back into the Roman empire, Antalya had flourished for most of the time.

A whole large modern city has grown around the historic part

A small arm of land surrounding a small bay is the area of Kaleci, the central and historic part of Antalya. Winding streets climbing the steep shore, rows of small houses have a view on the sea. Kaleici was once protected by city walls, and a great part of it is still visible today. A large gate which forms part of the walls is the Hadrian's gate. It commemorates the visit of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who visited here in 130 and presumably marched through this gate with great pomp. The gate’s antiquity dating back to another era and the elegance of its construction make it one of the most important sights of the city.

After stepping out the gate the streets immediately show a different picture, they are bustling and crowded, compared to the tranquility of Kaleici. Because Antalya is already a metropolis where turkish cultural traditions are blended with modernity.

Antalya is the center of the turkish riviera today, the most important hub of the coastal tourism of Turkey. Due to the tourism the city started to develop quickly in the 1970s and its population also began to grow rapidly. The city which is expanding in several directions around the old town has now an urban population of 1,5 million (including the agglomeration 2,5 million). There is a university and industry beyond tourism. A highlight of the infrastucture is the light rail which goes from the center to the international airport, offering a convenient way to get to the center. The agriculture is also important, there are huge plantations around the city, and in greenhouses production continues even in winter. Fruits and vegetables are transported to whole Turkey or exported to other countries.

Discover Antalya starting from Kaleiçi

Although Antalya offers many options in terms of hotels on the long Konyaaltı Beach, for the more interested it is whorthile to find accomodation in Kaleici when visiting Antalya. The quiet streets, the restaurants in the courtyards, and the vicinity of the yacth marina give a special atmosphere to the stay. One have the option for a small beach section just next to the marina but it does not take long either to get to the Konyaaltı Beach, the long coast prepared to provide bathers with all kinds of facilities.

Most of the interesting sights, the architectural relics of Antalya are located in Kaleiçi which already gives reason not miss this area. Yet its strongest attraction is its athmosphere with its reserved calm. Pedestrian streets lead between small houses, many of which has courtyard dedicated to hospitality.