I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev

A pivotal moment in Antalya’s history arrived in 1207. The city found itself caught in the ambitions of the Seljuk Sultan, I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev. Right before you stands a monument to this very sultan, a figure who irrevocably shaped Antalya’s destiny. I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev, a ruler known for his strategic prowess, recognized Antalya’s significance as a thriving port city. He understood its potential to propel the Seljuk Sultanate to new heights of economic and maritime power. In 1207, he enacted a plan to bring Antalya under Seljuk control. The city at that time was under the control of Aldobrandini, a Tuscan adventurer. Aldobrandini though nominally served the Byzantine Empire, he had earned a reputation for mistreating Muslim merchants. This fueled discontent within the city, a sentiment that Keyhüsrev capitalized on. He laid siege to Antalya and in a skilled display of military maneuvering, managed to capture the city on March 5th, 1207. This victory marked a turning point. It solidified Seljuk dominion over the Mediterranean, paving the way for their economic and maritime dominance. Keyhüsrev, understanding the importance of fostering trade, issued a special decree. This decree ensured the protection of merchants and their goods, even offering compensation for past injustices. He further cemented this new era of prosperity by abolishing various taxes and duties previously levied on trade caravans and ships. The legacy of I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev and his conquest of Antalya is woven into the very fabric of this vibrant city.