Attraction - Alanya Fortress
The fortress was built in the 8th century by order of Sultan Keykubat. This huge seven-meter wall protected the residence of the Sultan and the inhabitants of the adjacent territory. It took about twelve years to build it using bricks and special cement, which still firmly holds the walls of the fortress. The fortress has several levels and turns. The Sultan's palace was protected by three rings of walls.
On the territory there were:
- shipyard (for ship repairs)
- burial area
- citadel (Ich Kale)
- mosque
- Ekhmedek fortress
- townspeople's houses and villas.
Many architectural buildings have retained their original appearance. And tourists can visit them. The area for excursions is quite large. Seeing all the objects in one day is an impossible task. You can get to the fortress through the gate from the city side or down the cable car from Cleopatra Beach. The fortress is open for tourists from 9 am, but the cable car opens half an hour later. The fortress is visible from almost any part of the city, so you can walk to it, take a minibus or bus.
A walk along the walls of the fortress is possible on both sides along the paths. Some are lined with stone and are quite wide. It is almost impossible to get lost among them. Despite the historical value of these buildings nearby, Turks with their families live in the houses and go about their usual routine, not paying much attention to curious tourists. There are, of course, enterprising residents who set up tents for trade. It is noteworthy that old houses are not demolished, but there is a ban on the construction of new buildings in this area.
Not far from the entrance to Alanya Kalesi there is a museum. These are not just exhibits of ancient times, this is an entire city (the entire territory of the fortress). On the territory you can find retail outlets with silk scarves, national clothing (harem pants, skullcaps) and other folk art. The museum can be roughly divided into parts that can be viewed by tourists for free, and paid excursions will be offered to history buffs. The place is picturesque, characterized by abundant vegetation, many trees and an inexplicable atmosphere of the past. Tour guides lead groups to a centuries-old tree. It is truly large in size. According to the legend, you need to hug the tree, make a wish and tie a bright ribbon. What tourists do with pleasure.
The castle is the most popular excursion destination; more than one and a half thousand tourists visit it during the season. It has an observation deck offering panoramic views of the mountains, sea and city. Here, at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level, there is an open balcony fenced with bars. Sultan Keykubat was a cruel man and carried out show executions. However, some prisoners were given the opportunity to avoid execution. To do this, it was necessary to move a huge stone from its place or throw a small pebble into the water. However, not a single case was recorded in the historical chronicles when a prisoner was able to overcome these requirements.
Suleymaniye Mosque - built in 1226. For an unknown number of reasons, it was destroyed in the 16th century and rebuilt from the same materials. At the moment it is a functioning mosque for citizens with good acoustic characteristics. Tourists are allowed to enter inside, following the rules for visiting a Muslim temple. The prayer hall is large and can accommodate parishioners from the entire city.
The cost of excursions varies between 12-50 dollars, depending on the places visited. It is possible to purchase excursions to a complex of attractions. A standard sightseeing tour from a hotel guide is about an hour. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get to the observation deck during this time. For the convenience of visitors, several cafes have opened where you can relax a little and have a snack on national dishes.
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