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Islamic Tourism Antalya, the Turkish Riviera, is is a region of magnificent beaches lapped by clear blue waters and surrounded by pine forests, olive and citrus groves, palm trees, avocado trees and banana plantations. A nature walk to the Kursunlu waterfall can be combined with a trip to Perge, one of the important historical sites awaiting discovery. The city of Antalya, especially the old city is an ideal base for half day morning or afternoon tours.
Even those how don’t like ancient ruins from bygone days will be impressed by Perge, half a hours drive from Antalya’s city centre. Turkish archaeologists started working on this site, dating back to 1500BC, in 1946 and have not stopped.
Perge was once a Hittite settlement. It was visited by St Paul when it was an important city of ancient Pamphylia. The magnificent statues have been transferred to Antalya’s museum for safe keeping. The most memorable ruins are the long colonnaded street. At the end visitors are rewarded with a monumental fountain and a metal plague which has a line drawing of the city in its splendour – an invaluable aid to diciphering the numerous pillars and columns at the site.
Water brought from the springs flowed from under the statue of the River God Kestros. It was carried in the canals, almost intact today, seen in the middle of the colonnaded avenue and brought life and coolness to the city.
Perge is really two historic sites in one. The colonnaded street and on one side Perge Agorasi 75 x 75m built by Emperor Antoninus Pius in the second century AD. It is a centre court yard once lined with shops – the father of food standards as city officials inspected the quality of the produce and the cleanliness of the premises. It was also a place for social gatherings and political discussions. Sadly the coloured mosaics are no longer on site – another reason for visiting Antalya’s museum with remains from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman Times. It is one of the most important museums in the Mediterranean region.
Like all of Antalya’s historic sites among them Aspendos besieged by Alexander the Great, Silliyon one of the most important cities of Pamphylia and Selge built at an altitude of 900m, the site of Perge is immaculately kept with a a refreshment area, souvenir sellers and literature in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
A trip to Perge can easily be combined with a visit to Kursunlu waterfall in a nature reserve just 20 minutes drive from Antalya. Three camels, for photographing and riding, greet visitors at the entrance to the reserve, a charming pine forest with native birds such as the sigrcik and cati. A bush walk on a carefully laid out track leads to the waterfall. A restaurant is under construction nearby.
The walk to the Kursunlu waterfall is an easy 45 minute stroll. More challenging walks are also on offer.
Antalya is a region of ancient sites and scenic beauty among them the Manavgat Waterfalls 80km to the east of the city, Side an ancient harbour whose name means pomegranate, the Koprulu Canyon National Park and Aspendos a photogenic Seljuk Bridge which crosses the Kopru River from the road to Aspendos, 49 km east of Antalya. The road continues past the Aspendos jewellery centre and workshop to the ancient city of Aspendos, a site which is dominated by the best-preserved theater of antiquity with seating for 15,000.
For tours of Antalya’s sites contact IAH Holidays Ltd at www.flightholiday.co.uk
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