THE PLANT
PARADISE BELEK
Antalya is only a few thousand years "young" and yet has witnessed the nine thousand year old Anatolian history and the birth of the eldest civilizations of the world. Discover Antalya at the Mediterranean Coast with a huge historical and cultural treasure. Start your journey into the past in Belek and Antalya, while the sun sparkling on the sea accompanies you on every step you take...

  • DISCOVERING BELEK

  • ANTALYA -A MEDITERRANEANDREAM

  • THE MUSEUM OF ANTALYA

  • KALEİÇİ -THE ANTIQUECITY CENTER

  • THE HADRIAN’S GATE

  • THE TOWER OF HIDIRLIK

  • THE KESİK MİNARE MOSQUE

  • THE BUILDINGS AROUND THE YİVLİ MİNARET

  • ZİNCİRKIRAN TOMB

  • NİGAR HATUN TOMB

  • İSKELE MOSQUE

  • DAMLATAŞ CAVE

  • ZEYTİNTAŞI CAVE

  • DİM CAVE

  • ASPENDOS

  • SIDE

  • PERGE

  • SILLYON THE ANTIQUE CITY

  • KURŞUNLU WATERFALLS

  • DÜDEN WATERFALL

  • KÖPRÜLÜ KANYON NATIONAL PARK

  • SELGE

DISCOVERING BELEK
Close your eyes and imagine a turquoise sea in front of you, bordered with trees in all shades of green…Belek is a unique natural paradise, waiting to be discovered. A place where history meets the colours of nature. Belek not only is a place to spend your vacation but unites the specific characteristics of the entire Mediterranean region.Belek is situated approximately 30 km from the city center of Antalya. On its 17 km long sand coast, there are numerous five-star hotels, mostly on large grounds. These hotels, designed with respect to the surrounding nature, promise you holidays according your wishes. Belek is considered the golfing paradise of Turkey. On exclusive golf courts even beginners to this sport can become golf addicts.Belek not only is witness to countless civilizations but also is a place where the natural diversity of species of the Mediterranean countries can be admired the most effectively. Botanic researches found 574 plant species, 29 of them endemic plants (that can only be found in Turkey) and one regional endemic plant (that can only be found in Belek), the Serik pear (Pyrus serikensis). Researches found in Belek more than 38 mammal species, more than 100 bird species, more than 30 reptile species and more than 51 invertebrate species. One of the most important natural characteristics of Belek is its being breeding place for the endangered Caretta Caretta sea turtles.Discover a place full of natural beauty, in all shades of blue and green…

The Plant Paradise Belek
Plants in harmony with the soil, plants colouring the soil in many colours.While the diversity of plants is at 12.000 plant specis in whole Europe, there are 9.000 plant species in Turkey alone. This proves, how huge the diversity of species is in Turkey.It is known, that especially the Region of Antalya has not been explored entirely in this regard. Plants are one of the most important components of nature, as they regulate the ecologycal system and offer many properties that allow other species to survive.Endemic plants only grow in certain regions in the World. With regard to their ecologycal and physiological properties they are mostly unique.Therefore regions, where endemic plants grow naturally, should benefit from priority when its about being declared as conservation area, as they are the biological heritage of humanity. In Mediterranean countries there are 600 endemic plant species (that can only be admired in certain regions of the World), 500 of them can be admired in and around Antalya. Moreover, researches show, that there are more than 118 precious plant species, more than 40 of them are specific for Belek, 6 of them (as the Serik pear) can only be seen in Antalya. Researches of BETUYAB found that the number of ecologically aware tourists has increased as the understanding of environmentally-friendly tourism has. On an international level, this change has equally been noticed. In the years 1995-1996 the Belek Coast Plan has been created by the Association for the Protection of Life of the World Bank and the support of officials with the aim to protect and develop the natural and cultural environment. BETUYAB not only protect the environment but also makes it more beautiful.

Birds’ Paradise Belek
Belek is meeting point for the creatures of nature with a beautiful voice. You will never forget, waking up with the concert of these birds. In Belek, there are more than 100 bird species. In a World, where the understanding of quality holidays changes, it becomes increasingly important, to spend holidays in harmony with nature. Increasing environmental pollution, fewer green areas and increasing permeation of technology in our society awaken the wish, to be near again to nature. For those, who feel this wish, ecological tourism offers everything the heart may desire. With its nature and modern hotels, Belek is one of the most important places for ecological tourism. With its characteristics and well planned constructions, the natural beauty of the region is maintained. The natural surrounding of life and its continuity are protected here. Researches found more than 38 mammal species and more than 100 bird species in Belek. This makes Belek to a perfect place for ornithology, as many bird species overwinter here, too.In the context of these researches of the Belek Tourism Centre (BETUYAB), all these bird species that are part of Beleks natural beauty, are monitored and registered in their natural habitat.
ANTALYA – A MEDITERRANEAN DREAM
The beautiful Mediterranean City Antalya is home to the cleanest and most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast and looks like a picture of paradise with palm trees and orange trees along the streets, historic sites, harbours and picturesque bays.In Antalya, you can feel the warming sun during almost every season of the year.In Antalya, one of the most important tourism centres of Turkey, it is almost impossible, not to feel the historic background, together with summer, sun and beach. The city was founded during the second century BC and had been part of the Ottoman Empire, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the Seljukian Empire. This city, indispensable for the most important civilizations, has always taken its place in history as settlement area. During archeological excavations, paleolitical, mezzolitical, neolitical, caltolitical and traces from the Bronze Age were found. You can find traces of the empires of the Hittites, Lycian, Cilicia and Pamphilya in Side, Perge, Aspendos, Sagalassos, Sillyon, Selge, Attaia, Seleukria and Termessos.The wish of King Attalos II. of Pergamon to found this beautiful city, was the first step that made Antalya to what it is today. With this wish of Attalos, the city was made habitable, and after several names like Attelia, Adalia or Adalya was named Antalya, as it is called today.Do not wait any longer to stroll on the flavorsome streets of the city, discover its historic past, enjoy pure nature and breathe fresh air, surrounded by the mountains of the Taurus on three sides of the city and the beautiful sea.
THE MUSEUM OF ANTALYA
The New History of the Past
The Museum of Antalya is established on an area of 30.000 m2, with 14 exhibition rooms and an open air gallery, where statues etc. are displayed. The Museum is responsible for the three antique cultural areas of Lycia, Pamphilya and an important part of Pisidia. Areas of a city that has uninterruptedly witnessed the history of humanity and unites the most important historical and cultural treasure of Anatolia in one single region.The Museum of Antalya is among the most important museums in the World, especially after the discovery of the Roman statues in Perge and the results of the excavations of the past years. In 1988, the Museum was presented the Museum of the Year Award by the European Council.
KALEİÇİ – THE ANTIQUE CITY CENTER
An Old Friend In the Heart of the City
The western border of the antique city center is the sea, in the North and the East there are main streets and parallel to these streets there are city walls, partly still preserved today. These distinct borders protected the antique city center from the multi-story buildings that were built in the city center and preserved its traditional flair.
THE HADRIAN’S GATE
The Gate between Past and Future
The gate is one of the best-preserved historical buildings. It was built in 130 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. In the course of time, the city walls blocked the outer side of the gate, so that the gate remained unused for a long time. This might also be the reason why the gate has been so well preserved up to our days. After the ruins of the city walls had been removed, only the gate remained, which enjoys a reputation as most beautiful gate of Pamphilya. The gate consists of three archways built out of marble and are beautifully decorated. The gate originally consists of two levels.Stand in front of the gate and look at it if only for a few seconds. On one side, you will see modern Antalya, the Atatürk Street with two rows of palm trees, on the other side of the gate old Antalya. The gate is the most beautiful gate of Pamphylia, between past and present. To the right and the left of the gate, there are towers originating in different civilizations. The harmony of different centuries and civilizations can be admired in many places in Antalya.
THE TOWER OF HIDIRLIK
A Lighthouse that throws light to the 2nd Century
The tower is built at the beginning of the city walls. Its foundation is square-cut while the upper side is cylindrical. The very solid tower was built in the antique age and accommodates a squarish cube. Due to its inner properties it is assumed that the tower found use for defense purposes or as alert tower.
THE KESİK MİNARE MOSQUE
Structural researches found the Mosque to be built in the 2nd Century AD. During the 5th Century AD, a basilica was built on an antique temple, Sultan Korkud, son of Beyazid II. then had it rebuilt as Mosque and had a minaret built next to it. During a fire in the XIX. Century the wooden part of the minaret was destroyed, since then it is called the “Kesik Minare” (Cut Minaret). The building still is destroyed and does not serve its purpose, however, it serves visitors as rare example for a mixture of antique Byzantine and Seljukian architecture in one building.
THE BUILDINGS AROUND
THE YİVLİ MİNARET
From Byzantium to the Seljuks
In the district Kalekapısı there are countless buildings originating from the Seljukian Empire, among them: Yivli Minaret, Yivli Mosque, Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa, Seljukian Madrasa, Mevlevihane, Zincirkıran tomb and the Nigar Hatun tomb. The Yivli Minaret is one of the first Islamic buildings in Antalya and a creation of the Seljukian Empire of the XIII. Century. The foundation is cut of stone. The minaret itself was built out of bricks and blue china. It consists of 8 waves. Its height is 38 m and it can be reached via a staircase with 90 steps. The Yivli Minaret Mosque is built next to the Yivli Minaret and the oldest example for Anatolian Mosques with vaulted roofs. The mosque is covered by a roof with 6 vaults in semicircle shapes. It was built in 1372 by Balaban Tavşi. Among other characteristiques, antique ruins were used for its construction. The Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa was built by Atabey Armağan in 1239 for Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev. Vis-à-vis to this building there are ruins of a construction that is believed to be a Seljukian Madrasa of the XIII. Century.
ZİNCİRKIRAN TOMB
The tomb is situated to the North of the Yivli Minaret in the upper garden. It was built in the style of the Seljuks. However, the simple outside, non-existing windows and the lowness of the tombs inside show characteristics of Ottoman tombs. The tomb was built in 1377 and protects three graves.
NİGAR HATUN TOMB
The tomb built on an hexagonal area is constructed in a simple way. The tomb in Seljukian style originates in the year 1502. The building to the west of the Zincirkıran tomb is a Mevlevihane and was probably built by Alaeddin Keykubat in 1225. The signature of the architect with details can not be found. The building was renovated and is nowadays used as art gallery.
İSKELE MOSQUE
The İskele Mosque is a picturesque small mosque situated next to the marina. The origins of this building are unknown. The building was part of the restauration program of the Kaleiçi district.
ASPENDOS
Xenon’s Secret...
The Aspendos Theatre with a capacity of 17.000 visitors was built in 38 km distance to Side in the 2nd Century and is the best preserved amphitheater of our time.The secret of the perfect acoustic of the theatre created by a young man named Xenon has not been disclosed yet. During the 13th century the building was used as caravanserai and the northern part of the building was enforced with a Seljukian style archway. On the road from Antalya to Alanya, the 4 km long road after Serik leads North to the Aspendos Theater. The theatre dates back to the 5th Century BC.During the 2nd Century AD the Aspendos Theater was temporarily used as caravanserai and renovated from time to time. It is one of the rare theaters that has been so well preserved including its stage. Nowadays, the theater is used for various concerts, festivals and oil wrestling matches. Beside the theater, the Agora, the Basilica, the Nymphaem and the 15 km long waterways are worth a visit.
SIDE
Side can be reached by turning South on the road from Antalya to Manavgat, 2 km before reaching Manavgat. It is not exactly known, when the city was founded. In Anatolian language Side means pomegranate. This characteristic and the findings in the region let assume that the history of Side reaches back to the Hittites. The city was founded on a peninsula and survived, protected by walls on the water and land side, the Hellenistic and also the Roman Empire. Its city walls and its city gate deserve special attention. The most important building of the city is its amphitheatre with a capacity of 15.000 seats. The Roman Building is different from other antique theaters through the architecture of the spectator area that is not on a stepped area. The theater is a two storey building and founded on a 20 m high building with archways. The orchestra and the stage are ruins. Under the theatre there are waterways for rainwater. With its antique buildings, pillar bordered streets, triumphal arch, harbour, hammams, temples, fountains, amphoras, waterways and Agora, Side is worth a visit.
PERGE
Perge was founded 18 km to the East of Antalya, between the Düden and Aksu rivers.On the way from Antalya to Alanya you have to turn North and will reach Perge after 2 km.As not situated on the coast, the town remained unharmed from pirates. For this reason it developed without interruptions. The town was founded 1200 BC. Approximately in 334 AD Perge signed a treaty with Alexander the Great. Thus, the city was not destroyed during war and survived the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires. The theater with 15.000 seats was built during the 2nd Century AD. The Stadium directly next to the Theater offers space for 12.000 spectators. Apart from the Stadium Aphrodisias in the Aeagean region, it is the best preserved Stadium. Under the tribune, there are 30 rooms open to the outside. It is assumed that those were used as shops. During excavations in the past years many statues and art objects were found. The gates, the Agora, the Nymphaeum, the pillar-bordered streets, the tombs, the Basilica and the Akropol are only some of the sights in Perge.
SILLYON THE ANTIQUE CITY
Not much is known about the history of the ruin city that is situated in Serik, in Antalya on the Koçhisar hill. We only know, that it has survived the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires. On the road from Antalya to Alanya, Sillyon is situated in a distance of approximately 33 km. It was one of the most important cities of Pamphylia. In antique sources, the city of Sillyon is mentioned on Alexander the Great’s travel through the region in the 4th Century BC.We also know that the city which is situated on a large plateau has successfully defended itself against an attack of Alexander the Great. In the city, there are traces of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Seljukian Empires. The lower gate, the Stadium, the Palace, the watch tower and the city walls are especially interesting. In the South-West of the city there are three ruins, the biggest of them originates in the Byzantine Empire, another one in the Hellenistic Empire.Next to the Hellenistic building, there is a plate in Pamphylian language that most probably originates from the 3rd Century BC. Passing these buildings, you will see the Theater and the Odeon. You can also see ruins of a Mosque from the Seljukian Empire, there.The gate of the antique city also still is preserved. One of the preserved ruins is a big tower. Unfortunately, the Stadium of the city has been entirely destroyed and is hardly recognizable. In the theater of the city there is a a huge crack caused by an earth quake.
KURŞUNLU WATERFALLS
The Kurşunlu Waterfalls can be reached by turning to the heartland on the Antalya-Isparta road on the 24th km. After 7 km you will reach the Kurşunlu Waterfalls situated in a 2 km large canyon. In 1986 the park was opened to tourists.As the Kurşunlu Waterfalls attracts less visitors than the Manavgat Waterfall or the Düden Waterfall it is much calmer there and it is a true natural wonder. Here, you can also find more than 100 bird species. This place is therefore also called a paradise. The cave covered by the waterfall attracts visitors’ special attention.
DÜDEN WATERFALL
The voice of nature
The Düden Waterfall is situated 10 km from Antalya. Its origin is the Hydroelectric Plant of Kepez. The water sees daylight in the region Düdenbaşı. It is only one of many rivers that flow into the Mediterranean Sea.The most beautiful waterfalls of the region are the Kurşunlu Waterfall, the Manavgat Waterfall in the North of the Province Manavgat and the Düden Waterfall.Antalya is a city abundant in water. Anyone who had spent their holiday in Antaly before, might have noticed this. The provinces of the city are like gates to different worlds, with their own beauties that wait to be discovered. The Waterfall of Düden is only one of the beauties of this region.
KÖPRÜLÜ KANYON
NATIONAL PARK
63 km to the North West of Manavgat, 85 km to the North east of Antalya, there is the Köprülü Kanyon National Park. The park is situated inmid huge cedar trees and shows a large diversity of plant species. In the park there are trees older than decades. Thanks to its special geological characteristics and its vegetation, the park is a habitat to many wild species. The river that runs through the narrow canyon and calms down when it becomes wider offers possibilities for many watersports. The canyon is 14 km long and 100 m deep. On parallel, tightened forest tracks tracking and jeep safaris take place. The antique city of Selge, the road to Selge, the other tracks, the Palace, the guard tower, the waterways and bridges (the Oluk and the Büğrüm bridges) constitute the archeaological sources of this place.
SELGE
At the foot of the Taurus mountain, near the Köprüçay, 950 m over the sea there is Selge, an antique mountain city of Pisidya. The way to Selge leads through the Köprülü Kanyon National Park which is full of natural beauties. It is known that Selge was founded by Kalches and that the city of Pisidya became part of the Pamphylian Empire. The city then became part of the Empires Lidya, Persia, Alexander the Great’s and the Roman Empire. The Theater with 5 gates and 45 steps is the best conserved heritage remaining from these times. To the South of the Theater which was made in stone, there are the Stadium and the Gymnasium, to the West, there is an Ionian temple with eagle decoration at its ceiling. South to the Stadium there is a fountain and the Agora. North to the city walls, in the Southwest, there are an Artemis and a Zeus temple next to each other. To the West of these temples there are amphoras, to the North there are necropolis with decorated graves and sarcophagi.
ZEYTİNTAŞI CAVE
Doğanın Sürprizi
Taşocağı işletmesi için yeni açılan bir galeri ile tesadüfen bulunan Zeytintaşı küçük fakat bozulmamış zengin damlataşları ile kaplı ilginç bir mağaradır. Mağara girişinin hemen kapatılarak koruma altına alınması ( l. derece SİT alanı) içindeki damlataşların tahrip olmasını önlemiştir.
Mağaranın içi, görünümleri son derece güzel her türden damlataş oluşumları ile kaplıdır. Özellikle mağaranın her kesiminde gelişen ve boyları yer yer 0.5 m’yi bulan makarna sarkıtlar Zeytintaşı Mağarası'nın karakteristik şeklidir. Gelişimleri hâlâ devam eden bu yavru sarkıtlara, ülkemizde her mağarada rastlamak mümkün değildir. Ayrıca büyük sütunlar arasında yer alan gölcükler mağaranın görünümünü daha da ilginç şekle dönüştürmektedir. Bu özellikleri, Zeytintaşı Mağarası'nın turizm amacıyla kullanımı için son derece uygun ortam hazırlamıştır. Ayrıca bulunduğu doğal çevrenin vahşi güzelliği, ulaşımının kolay oluşu, Antalya-Alanya karayolu ve Aspendos'a yakınlığı, mağaranın turizm değerini daha da arttırmıştır. Mağara turizme açıktır.
DAMLATAŞ CAVE
22 Bin Yılda Yaratılan Şahaser
Mağara, Alanya’nın içinde ve deniz kıyısında bulunmaktadır. Merkeze 3 km. uzaklıktadır. Toplam uzunluğu 30 m. olan mağara; kuru ve yatay mağara tipindedir. 200 m’lik bir alanı kaplamaktadır. Çok sayıda sarkıt ve dikitin eşsiz bir görüntü verdiği mağara, 15 m. yüksekliktedir. Karbondioksit gazı, yüksek ölçüde nem, düşük ısı ve radyoaktif havasıyla astım hastaları için son derece yararlıdır. Bu nedenle astım hastaları mağaranın en yoğun ziyaretçi gruplarını oluştururlar. Mağaradaki sarkıt ve dikitlerin MÖ. 20.000-15.000 yılları arasında meydana geldiği sanılmaktadır. Mağara turizme açıktır.
DİM CAVE
Doğanın Kalbindeki Gölgesi
Alanya merkezinin 12 km. doğusunda bulunan Cebereis Dağı’nın yamacındadır. Dim Mağarası, Türkiye'nin en güzel mağaralarından biridir. Alanya'ya yakın olması ve çevrenin piknik yerleri ve ormanlarla kaplı olması nedeniyle ziyarete uygundur. Tarih öncesi ve tarihi devirlerde insanlar tarafından barınak olarak kullanılmasından dolayı çevre halkı tarafından "Gâvurini Mağarası" olarak adlandırılmıştır.
Dim Mağarası kuzey-güney doğrultuda uzanan kireçtaşlarının erimesi sonucu meydana gelmiştir. Dim Çayı’nın Vadisi’ni iyice derinleştirmesi sonucu su seviyesi de derinlere indiğinden mağara kurumuştur. Hidrolojik aktivitenin kaybolmasından sonraki dönemlerde tavan ve duvarlardan kaya bloklarının düşmesi sonucu hacim genişlemesi devam etmiştir. Bu gelişme sırasında duvarlardan ve tavandan sızan sular sarkıt, dikit, sütun ve duvarları örten bayrak ve perde kireçtaşlarının oluşmasına neden olmuştur. Mağaranın orta ve son kesimlerinde tavandan düşmüş kaya blokları tabanı kaplar. Mağaranın girişten itibaren 40. m’sinde ikinci bir girişi vardır. Mağara turizme açıktır.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By logging into this site you agree to our use of cookies. For more information.
close
^