Antalya, Turchia: Mar Mediterraneo alle pendici del Tauro occidentale

Walking through the streets of Antalya, one immediately notices that the city is dominated by the refined Yivli Minaret, built in the 13th century by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. Having become the symbol of the city, the tower attracts visitors’ attention especially thanks to its mosaic decorations with bluish shades. Next to the minaret is the mosque of the same name, which housed museum artifacts until the new city art gallery was completed.
Inside the same ‘külliye’ (an Arabic term referring to a complex of multiple buildings), there is the Madrase (Madrasah), a school with a carved stone entrance portal typical of many monuments belonging to the Seljuk dynasty.
Continuing the tour around the city, one heads towards the important district of Kaleici (also called, fittingly, ‘old Antalya’), which was the heart of the city until World War II. The life of Antalya, in fact, took place mainly here in the narrow alleys, in the picturesque houses, and among the imposing stone walls. Today its historic charm can also be experienced at the table, thanks to the delicious cuisine offered by comfortable guesthouses and inns and more luxurious hotels.
Admiring the marble triple-arched gate dedicated to Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city in 130 AD, the historical exploration continues at the Antalya Archaeological Museum. Among the most important in Turkey, the art gallery houses interesting testimonies divided into about a dozen museum sections.
Battered by the Mediterranean Sea and thriving thanks to the aforementioned tourist fortunes, Antalya still offers many attractions even outside the city limits.
Sun and sea lovers can enjoy about 300 sunny days a year and wonderful waters where they can dive and admire the seabed to a depth of 30 meters. Mountain enthusiasts, on the other hand, can engage in mountaineering and caving to discover small and large caves fascinating from historical, geographical, and aesthetic viewpoints (one among them is the Karein Cave complex). History lovers can explore interesting historical sites (such as Aspendos), while thrill-seekers and fun lovers should not miss a few hours of rafting, a jeep safari in the Taurus Mountains, or a day at the water park. Those who prefer quieter activities can engage in golf, horseback riding, or simply be lulled by the waves of the Mediterranean.