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ANTALYA |
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Turkey's fastest growing city, ANTALYA ( www.antalyaonline.net ) is
also the one metropolis besides Istanbul that is also a major
destination. Blessed with an ideal climate and a stunning setting,
Antalya has seen its annual tourist influx grow to almost match its
permanent population, which now stands at just under half-a-million.
Despite the grim appearance of its concrete sprawl, it's an agreeable
place, although the main area of interest for visitors is confined to
the relatively small old quarter; its beaches don't rate much
consideration. The city also makes a good base for visiting the nearby
ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos.
The intersection of Cumhuriyet Caddesi and Sarampol is the most obvious
place to begin a tour of Antalya, dominated by the Yivli Minare or "Fluted
Minaret", erected in the thirteenth century and today something of a
symbol of the city. Downhill from here is the old harbour , recently
restored and site of the evening promenade. North is the disappointing
bazaar, while south, beyond the Saat Kalesi, lies Kaleiçi or the old
town, currently succumbing to tweeness as every house is redone as a
carpet shop, café or pension. On the far side, on Atatürk Caddesi, the
triple-arched Hadrian's Gate recalls a visit by the emperor in 130 AD,
while Hesapça Sokak leads south past the Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret)
to a number of tea gardens and the Hidirlik Kulesi , of indisputable
Roman vintage but ambiguous function - it could have been a lighthouse,
bastion or tomb. The one thing you shouldn't miss is the Archeological
Museum (Tues-Sun: summer 9am-6.30pm; winter 8am-5pm; $5), one of the top
five archeological collections in the country; it's on the western edge
of town at the far end of Kenan Evren Bulvara, easily reachable by a
tram which departs from the clock tower in Kaleiçi. Highlights include
an array of Bronze Age urn burials from near Elmala, and finds from an
unusually southerly Phrygian tumulus. There's also second-century
statuary from Perge, an adjoining sarcophagus wing with an almost
undamaged coffer depicting the life of Hercules, a number of mosaics and
a reliquary containing some purported bones of St Nicholas, not to
mention an ethnography section with ceramics, household implements,
weapons and embroidery and a small but well-thought-out children's
section.
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