UNESCO
World Heritage Sites in Antalya
Stretched on the most magical and beautiful side of the Turkish coastline, the Turkish Riviera is one of the most beautiful pathways laid out by nature to spend your time in. Not only does it have 500 beautiful beaches spread in 600 miles of white sand and welcoming seas and cute coastal towns, but it also houses great relics of the history of the Mediterranean.
From Greeks to Romans, the coastline was where cultures flourished and left their wonders behind. As the biggest clue to this historic fact, it should be known that there remain two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World on the Turkish Riviera: The Halicarnassus Mausoleum and the Temple of Artemis. This simply shows that starting from these wonders: from the very west to the east, up until Göbeklitepe, Turkey bears remnants of the old times that will always carry a charm to you with each wind, as you enjoy the modern beauties.
From Greeks to Romans, the coastline was where cultures flourished and left their wonders behind.
Today, your visits will be sprinkled with the remnants of the old times as you enjoy the modern beauties. In the coastline you can find two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; The Halicarnassus Mausoleum [1] [2] [3] [4] and the Temple of Artemis are worth a visit when enjoying the Turkish riviera.
The Water City: Ancient City of Perge
With its carefully laid out plan, the fascinating ancient city of Perge still mesmerizing the visitors today. Two of the best-known parts of Perge ancient city are the water canals and the open stadium. The canals are set in north-south oriented columns of the city. On the other hand, the city had a rectangular shaped agora, monumental fountains, baths and gymnasiums but the most important relic among these is the open stadium of Perge ancient city Antalya has reserved until today.
Take a step into the glorious civilizations of Antalya ancient city in Perge and discover why Perge is on the UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
A Monument of Art, Glory and Magnificence: Aspendos
The ancient city of Aspendos Antalya is one of a kind for many reasons. Within UNESCO heritage sites Turkey, Aspendos is home to the most known and well-preserved ancient theaters named after the ancient city. Aspendos Ancient Theatre was built in the Roman Period and is known for its twin building, the Aqueducts. The legend goes that the king of Aspendos had a daughter named Belkıs whose beauty was legendary. He decided to hold a competition for her daughter’s hand in marriage. In the end the aqueducts and the theater won. The king went to visit the theater and was amazed by the acoustics when he heard the architect in the middle of the arena talking from all the way at the top of the steps. The theater and the aqueducts carry traditions of the Mediterranean and the Roman culture, making it eligible for the UNESCO world heritage sites and landing on the tentative list.
An Open-Air Museum: Kekova Island
On Kekova Island, which is 165 kilometers away from the Antalya coast, there are sarcophagi in water in small and large bays. The island has 5.7 km^2 of land filled with rocky terrain and small pensions or cafes run by kind people. Named Dolchiste in the Lycian Language the locals spoke in the ancient times, Kaleköy Kekova is home to the Kekova City Shipwreck. The city was sunk during a destructive earthquake. Now you can explore the history underwater. If the weather and tide conditions are good, you can take a look at history in one of the places nominated for UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Turkey, whose nature has spread all over the place, from the greenery of Ela Excellence to the breath-taking Kekova region.
Hidden From Time: Karain Cave
Karain Cave, the largest cave that mankind has ever lived in, is an indicator of how small mankind has become against time. The cave was a regular habitation from the Stone Age to the Classical ages and sheds light on the development of Neanderthal man. They left behind animal bones including elephants, hippopotamuses and even species extinct in Anatolia like giraffes and sketches on the cave walls of various scenes. Karain Cave Turkey is one of its examples as it contains Greek inscriptions and niches on the outer walls of the cave left from the Classical Age.
You can check the remnants of the time in the nearby Karain and Antalya museums. Go deep into the heart of the earth where the history has been carved into the stone walls and see the connection from Ancient Karain to modern day Belek, Ela Excellence, where time feels frozen.
A Place of Sacrifice and Honour: Xanthos Ancient City
How many UNESCO world heritage sites in the world can carry you back in time with such chilling accuracy? The answer is definitely not much. Xanthos Ancient City might give the best explanation as to UNESCO world heritage meaning. It carries the unity of a culture in the soil that has been watered with self-sacrifice. The original settlers left the invaders a ghost town that has been burned to the ground. Throughout history the site has been built up from ruins many times. The old and deep veins of history run deep and adds onto the heritage it has carried to our days. The layers of history are still visible in Xanthos just like it is all across Antalya, Belek.
Where Ela Stands, the Rich History of Mankind Lies!
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