ANTALYA, TURKEY

ANTALYA, TURKEY
   From the fluted minarets to the graceful arches of Hadrian’s Gate, the Roman-Ottoman past is tangible everywhere in the city of Antalya.  Originally founded in 150 BC as Attalia, named after its founder, Attalos II, King of Pergamon and became a major harbor for the region.  Today it is the largest city (2 million) of the Turkish part of the Mediterranean coast and a major hub of the “Turkish Riviera” attracting many tourists to the area. Antalya, and the surrounding regions, is rich in history. The old quarter of the city, Kaleici, has narrow, winding streets enclosed in ancient city walls, which now protect the peaceful quarter from the sprawling metropolis outside its walls. The walls can be entered through Hadian’s Gate, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrianus. Within the old quarter itself visitors can see many relics of the city. The Archaeological Museum displays, among other things, many Roman marble statues found in nearby ancient cities such as Perge.

   Turkey is a land of 77 million people. They are not in the European Union (EU) but are a member of NATO. They are the 17^th largest economy in the world.  The country is 97% Muslim and 3% other religions.  

   In 1923 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) came to power and modernized Turkey. He is called the “Father of Turkey”.

 

Roman family burial marble sarcophagus

 

Roman statue of Heracles found near by in ancient city of Perge

Sandy pointing out Antalya while map show ancient cities

Tom and Sandy with ancient Roman ruins in marble

Statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the Turkish flag