Antalya-Karen Dabrowska

There is a rich Ottoman heritage in Antalya, the principal holiday resort of the Mediterranean with a majestic coastline of beaches and rocky coves where the towering Taurus Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop. Since its founding in the 2^nd century BC by Attalus II, a king of Pergamon who named the city Attaleia after himself, it has had a continuous history. The Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks occupied the city before it came under Ottoman rule. Today the old quarter called Kaleici with its narrow, winding streets and quaint old, wooden houses next to the city walls has a number of impressive Islamic sites while others are located near the walls of the old city.

Visitors with a special interest in Ottoman architecture and heritage can stay in Kaleici itself in the Hotel Urcu made up of two beautifully restored mansions with a pretty garden, where the owner is building a swimming pool.

The Kesik Minaret started life as a church until the beginning of the 16^th century when it was transformed into a mosque during the time of Sehzade Korkut who added a minaret. The wooden parts of the mosque were destroyed by a fire in the 19^th century and, since then, the mosque has been known as the Kesik Minare.

Yivli Minaret, the symbol of the city, was built during the period of Alaeddin Keykubad a Seljuk Sultan. It is a brick tower on a pedestal. The second most important building of the Yivli Minaret Complex is the Ulu Mosque. Ulu Mosque is covered by six domes on 12 columns with two entrances to the north and west.

Another building in the complex is a lodge used by the Mevlevi Dervishes. This building, constructed during the reign of the Selujks, was converted into a lodge during the 18^th century. It was covered with four brick domes. The old bath, with three domes and interesting architecture, is located near this building and is currently used as an art gallery.

The Karatay Medresseh was built in 1250 and is now registered to the foundation of Celaleddin Karatay who have restored it in recent years. The Ahi Yusuf Mescidi tombs were built in honour of Ahi Yusuf in Mermerli Street in 1249. Ibn Batuta, the famous historic Muslim traveller, who wrote about the Ahi brotherhood when he visited the region in the middle of the 14^th century, said he had never met anyone doing such auspicious work. According to the testament of Muratpasa, the governor general of Karaman region who died in 1571, the mosque was built in 1574 north of the city, outside the city walls.

The fifteenth century Balibery Mosque near the intersection of Ismet Pasa Avenue and Sehit Cengiz Toyunc Avenue, and the Mesellim Mosque are all located at the north end of Kalekapisi.

For tours of the old city of Antalya and Islamic sites contact: IAH Ltd at www.flightholiday.co.uk.