Imagine a bustling port city around 150 BC. That was Antalya. Founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon, Antalya quickly became a vital naval base. It served as the heart of Attalus’s powerful fleet.
Antalya’s story is one of constant change. The city was initially named Attaleia after its founder. This name evolved over time into Adalia and finally Antalya.
In 133 BC, Attalus III bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Attaleia became part of the Roman Empire. During Roman rule, Antalya thrived. New monuments arose including Hadrian’s Gate. Nearby cities like Perga and Aspendos flourished.
Christianity arrived early in Antalya. Paul of Tarsus and Barnabas visited Attaleia. Their journey is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
The 13th-century Seljuk mosque stands in ruins. It once was a Byzantine basilica from the 7th century. The Great Mosque also started as a Christian basilica. The Kesik Minare Mosque was once the 5th-century Christian Church of the Panaghia.
Antalya was a major Byzantine city. It served as the capital of the Theme of the Cibyrrhaeots. Speros Vryonis described it as a major naval station. It was a commercial hub between the Aegean Sea and Cyprus. Armenians, Saracens, Jews, and Italians traded here.
The Seljuk Turks conquered Antalya in the early 13th century. It became the capital of the Teke beylik. Ibn Battuta, the Arab traveler, visited Antalya between 1335 and 1340. He described it as a most beautiful city. Each group of inhabitants lived in its own quarter. Christians, Greeks, Jews, and Muslims each had separate walled areas.
In the 19th century, Antalya’s sovereign was a dere bey, a landlord. The Tekke Oğlu family held power near Perge. Mahmud II reduced them to submission in 1812. Yet, they remained a rival power to the Ottoman governor until the early 20th century.
Antalya had two cotton factories in the early 20th century. By 1920, they had 15000 spindles and over 200 looms. A German-owned mill baled cotton here.
Muslim refugees from the Caucasus and the Balkans increased Antalya’s population in the 20th century. The economy centered on its port, serving inland areas like Konya. Antalya was known more for its picturesque charm than modern amenities.
Italy occupied Antalya for three years after World War I. Turkey recaptured it during the Turkish War of Independence. Large-scale development began in the 1970s. Antalya transformed from a pastoral town into a major metropolitan area.
Today, Antalya is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort. It attracts millions of tourists each year. The city boasts a rich history, beautiful beaches, and stunning natural landscapes. From its founding by Attalus II to its modern status as a tourism capital, Antalya’s story continues to evolve.