BEYDAGLARI

Beydaglari Mountains are located in the west of Antalya and run along the sea. They are part of the Taurus chain. These mountains are covered with thick pine forests, and also with cedar trees in some places. It is possible to reach nice places by main roads, but an off road circuit in 4X4 (1, 2 or 3 days sleeping for example at local people's house) with the assistance of a guide (who can also be the driver), is the best way to discover the gorgious landscapes, the roads used by the nomadic caravans, transhumance plateaus (yayla) and also some unaccessible archaeoligical sites such as Idebessos.

The small winter resort of Saklikent is located only 50 km / 31 miles away from Antalya.

The Karain Caves, dating back to the Paleolithic Period, are located 30 km / 19 miles north-west of Antalya. Karain was the largest cave inhabited during Prehistoric times in Anatolia. Plentiful spring water, plant cover and game where suitable elements for early man to settle here. The caves were used until the Byzantine period. The interesting finds made during the excavations are displayed in the Karain Caves section of Antalya Archaeological Museum and in the little Karain Museum which is next to the cave.

 




TERMESSOS
Located 34 km /21 miles north-west of Antalya, the ancient Pisidian city of Termessos, perched at 1050m/3450 feet on a plateau between two peaks of Güllük Mountain (ancient Mt Solymos), is part of Güllük Dag National Park. Its exceptional location makes it the most spectacular ancient city in Turkey. From the parking lot, the site can be reached by walking uphill along a steep trail, and as this requires time, it is recommended to start the visit early in the morning and bring a bottle of water.

Not much is known of the foundation of Termessos only that its inhabitants, who were of Anatolian origin, referred to themselves as Solymians. They lived in a walled city and it seems that they were warlike and fought often against their neighbors. In fact, what is known of their history begins in 334-333 BC when Alexander the Great, daunted by this impregnable eagle's nest, raised the siege of their stronghold. In retaliation, he burned down the Solymians' olive groves around the city.
The important ruins reveal that Termessos enjoyed two periods of prosperity, a first one during the Hellenistic period, and a second one during the Roman period when the city was granted a relative independence by Rome as it took up arms against Mithridates VI. Severely damaged by an earthquake, Termessos gradually declined until it was completely deserted in the 5th century.
Among the most significant remains which date back mostly to the Roman period, there are:
Hadrian's Gate, a monumental gate in the walls, provides access to the site.
The cisterns: there are five huge underground cisterns.
The gymnasium, which include baths, is completely covered except for the northeastern section.
The theater is the best preserved and the most attractive building on the site. It had a seating capacity of only 4,200 spectators indicating the limited number of inhabitants. The theater, hewn out of the rock, is an Hellenistic structure to which a skene was added in Roman times. It offers spectacular panoramic views as far as Antalya.
The bouleuterion had walls covered with polychrome marble.
The temple was dedicated to a peculiar version of the Zeus cult. Fragments of reliefs depicting scenes of the gods fighting monsters have been found lying around. Nearby, another small Roman temple stood on a high podium, but it is not known which deity was worshipped here. The ruins of two other Corinthian order temples from the Late Roman period can be seen in further places.
The agora, which is in a very ruined state, was surrounded by a stoa. The western portico was offered by Attalus II (160 - 138 BC), the founder of Attalaia (Antalya), while the northern portico, built in the 1st century, was offered by a certain Osbaras.
The heroon, a monumental tomb reserved for a hero, is located southwest of the agora.
The Founder's House is a Roman house whose name comes from an inscription on the left jamb of the door which refers to his owner as the founder of the city.
The colonnaded street was a broad promenade bordered on either side by porticoes and shops.
The necropolis: among the tombs and sarcophagi (one is beautifully decorated with a lion) which are scattered far and wide, the most remarkable is the Tomb of Alcetas with a relief depicting the general of Alexander who, in 319 BC having taken refuge in Termessos, chose to commit suicide when he was about to be handed over to Antigonus.
 




BURDUR
Burdur is located 120 kms / 75 miles north of Antalya, in the mountainous Lake Region (Göller Bölgesi) reputed for its natural beauty, flora and fauna. Carpets and kilims weaving also contribute to the reputation of Burdur. The city provides good examples of Ottoman architecture with the Tasoda, Kocaoda-Çelikbas and Misirlilar "konak" (mansions) which date from the 17th century.
From Susamlik Hill, the panorama over Burdur Lake and the city is beautiful.

10 kms / 6.3 miles south of Burdur are the 597 m / 653 yds long Insuyu Caves. They contain nine undergroud lakes and halls full of stalactites and stalagmites.

 




SAGALASSOS
Between Burdur and Isparta, 7 km/ 4.5 miles from the village of Aglasun lies the ancient Pisidian city of Sagalassos situated on Mount Akda?, at an altitude of about 1500m/ 5000 ft. Sagalassos reveals traces of settlement going back to 3000 BC but what is known of its history begins with the arrival of Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Its inhabitants, like those of Termessos, were courageous and warlike people, however their city was finally conquered during a battle which took place on a hilltop facing the city. Sagalassos enjoyed a first period of prosperity throughout the Hellenistic period. From the 1st century AD, when it became part of the Roman Empire as well as the foremost city in Pisidia, Sagalassos enjoyed a golden age and many magnificent buildings were constructed here. In 518, the city was struck by an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt. But in the 7th century, another earthquake destroyed not only the city but its water sources. Lack of water, disease and also the Arab incursions hastened the desertion of the city which fell into oblivion. Because of landslides, Sagalassos was gradually buried and laid concealed until it was discovered in 1706 by the French traveller Paul Lucas who described it as a place of enchantment. In 1824, the British cleric Francis Arundell discovered the city's true identity. From 1985 British researcher Stephen Mitchell and Belgian archaeologist Marc Waelkens carried out the excavations of the site remained remarkably intact. Since 1990, they are carrying further excavation and reconstruction work of some buildings with the support of Leuven Catholic University in Belgium together with experts from Turkey and various countries.

The main structures uncovered are:

The Doric Temple (1st century BC).
The late Hellenistic Fountain House was built in the 1st century BC as a U - shaped portico. The back wall was rebuilt during the second half of the reign of Hadrien (117 - 138 AD) and the south side was closed off by a wall with a stairway. Later the fountain house was incorporated into an esplanade surrounding it on three sides. After the earthquake of 518 AD, the courtyard was partly filled and the water distributed by terracotta pipes over the city.
This beautiful spring fed fountain house has been entirely restored and the water source has been unblocked. This is the first time in Turkey that the original function has been restored to an antique structure.
The Neon Library (2nd century AD) with the mosaic pavement in front of it.
The Bouleuterion with a seating capacity of 200 people (125-100 BC).
The Upper and Lower Agoras (2nd century BC - first quarter of the 1st century AD).
Antonines Fountain (161-180 AD) is located on the north side of the upper agora which was the heart of the city. The façade of this imposing fountain is like a theatre proscenium, with niches containing statues made in Aphrodisias. Two splendid statues of the god Dionysus, 2.65m/ 8.7ft and 2.45m/ 8ft high respectively, and statues of various sizes representing august citizens of Sagalassos discovered during excavation of the fountain, are today exhibited in Burdur Museum. When the restoration work is complete, replicas of these statues will be placed on the fountain, and the water main linking it to the Hellenistic fountain restored, so that the water will flow here again.
The Heroon, a 14m/ 46 ft high hero's memorial, is thought to commemorate Alexander the Great. It has a Hellenistic frieze depicting women dancing in a trance, wearing draped cloths and holding musical instruments. It dates from the reign of Augustus (25 BC - 14 AD).
The Temple of Apollo Clarios, erected during the reign of Augustus, was restored and dedicated to Apollo and the imperial family (103 - 104 AD).
The Temple of Antoninus Pius was started under Hadrian (117 - 138 AD) and completed under his successor Antoninus Pius to whom it was dedicated (138 - 161 AD). This was the second imperial cult temple in Sagalassos.
The Theatre, built in the 2nd century AD, is the highest in the world. It had a seating capacity of 9,000 spectators. The theatre offers panoramic views over the wild region.
The Baths, dating from the 2nd century BC, were remodelled in the 6th century AD.
The public lavatory accommodating forty people.
The Honorific Gate erected during the reign of Tiberius (14 – 37 AD) and partially restored in the 6 C AD.


Antonines Fountain

The Fountain House
 




ISPARTA

Isparta is located in the center of the Lake Region (Göller Bölgesi) on the high plateaus of the Taurus Chain (Toros Da?lari). The fame of Isparta comes from the rose oil obtained from the roses called summer damasks (Rosa Damascena) which are extensively grown in the region in the gardens and terraced fields on the lower slopes of the mountains. Roses are picked in early morning, while they are still half open and the scent is at its strongest. Rose oil is produced by distilling the petals in a copper vat by passing hot steam over them. The steam is condensed into large bottles, producing mainly rosewater, but a thin layer of yellowish oil called "gül ya?i" in Turkish, or attar of roses, floats on the surface. This most valuable oil is used in the cosmetic industry. Most of it is exported to Grasse, in France, a town of perfumeries and blending factories. Isparta is also renowned for its thickly piled carpets.
After the collapse of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, Isparta became the capital of the Hamitoglu Principality which was delimited by the four great lakes of the region. In 1381 Isparta was sold to Ottoman Sultan Murat I.

The old monuments of the city are the Seljuk Castle (14C), the Ottoman Ulu Mosque (1417), the Ottoman Covered Bazaar (1561), the Firdevs Pasha Mosque built by Sinan.
South of Isparta Gölcük Lake which rests at an impressive 1,405 m / 4.6 feet, is encircled by aromatic pine forests.

Isparta Carpet and Rose Festival takes place every year in July
 




EGIRDIR
Egirdir lies in the south of Egirdir Lake in a beautiful natural scenery. The Egirdir Castle, first built by Lydian King Croesus, was later renovated and enlarged in turn by the Romans, the Byzantines and the Seljuks. The Seljuk Kemerli Minaret strangely enough stands in the middle of a road.
Egirdir Island is connected by a boardwalk to the shore: a visit to the weavers working at their looms outside their houses should not be missed.

Egirdir Lake

Kovada National Park, 30 km south of Lake E?irdir, surrounds Kovada Lake, a pristine and cool mountain getaway.

 




YALVAÇ

North-east of Egirdir Lake and west of Aksehir, near Yalvaç, stands the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia which was founded by Antiochus I in 280 BC, and named after him like Antioch on the Orontes (Antakya). In 25 BC Antioch of Pisidia became a Roman military colony known as Colonia Caesareia Antiocheia. St. Paul and St. Barnabas came here in 46 A.D.. Antioch became one of the first Anatolian cities to accept Christianity . The first and largest church dedicated to St. Paul was later constructed on the site where St Paul gave his sermon. The city was razed by the Arabs in 713. Attempts were made to rebuild the city, but it never regained its former splendor. It was finally abandoned when the settlement of Yalvaç was established in the second half of the 13th century.

The most significant ruins of the ancient city are:
St. Paul's Church: most of the walls have disappeared, only the superb mosaic floor and inscriptions have been preserved but they cannot be seen because they have been recovered for their protection.
The Aqueduct
The Public Baths
The Theatre
The Temple of Augustus:
the temple dedicated to Augustus, the founder of the Roman colony, was built at the highest point of the city, in a rock-cut area where, in early times, stood a sanctuary of the Mother Goddess Cybele, and in Hellenistic times, a temple consecrated to the Moon – God Men.
The Archaeological Museum in Yalvaç displays important findings from the excavations led in Yalvaç and in the region.
Giant cedar trees grow in Kizildag National Park, south of Yalvaç, amid one of Turkey's most splendid landscapes.