How about a journey back in time as we stand here overlooking the Gulf of Antalya? It is a vast bay of the northern Levantine Sea. This gulf is nestled in the eastern Mediterranean Sea south of Antalya Province in Turkey.
The Gulf of Antalya includes some of Turkey’s main seaside resorts. This area is also known as the Turkish Riviera. Imagine the scene centuries ago. King Attalos II of Pergamon ordered his men to find “heaven on earth”. Their search led them to this very region.
He rebuilt the city around 150 BC. He named it Attaleia. This name eventually evolved into Adalia and finally Antalya. Antalya became a naval base for his powerful fleet. Antalya’s history stretches back even further. Excavations suggest the city existed as early as the 3rd century BC.
Antalya became part of the Roman Republic in 133 BC. The city thrived during the Roman period. Christianity arrived and spread after the 2nd century. Paul of Tarsus visited Antalya. The Acts of the Apostles mentions his journey to Attalia.
Antalya was a major city in the Byzantine Empire. It served as the capital of the Byzantine Theme of Carabisiani. In the early 13th century, the Seljuk Turks conquered the city. Antalya then became the capital of the Turkish beylik of Teke.
Ibn Battuta, the famous traveler, visited Antalya between 1335 and 1340. He described it as a most beautiful city. Each section of the population lived in a separate quarter. Christians, Greeks, Jews, and Muslims each had their own walled areas.
Evliya Çelebi wrote about Antalya in the 17th century. He noted narrow streets and 3000 houses. The port could hold up to 200 boats. In the 19th century, a “dere bey” or landowner ruled Antalya.
In 1911, Antalya had about 25000 residents. This included Christians and Jews. They lived around the walled port. The city was picturesque but ill-built. The city wall was a major attraction for visitors.
The Italians briefly occupied Antalya after World War I. This lasted until the Turkish Republic was founded in 1923. Today, Antalya is a bustling modern city. It attracts tourists from around the world. The Gulf of Antalya remains its heart and soul.
This gulf has witnessed centuries of history. It has seen empires rise and fall. It has inspired travelers and conquerors. As you gaze at the Gulf of Antalya, remember its rich past. It continues to shape the present.