Historic District With 500 Residents Welcomes 50,000 Visitors After Dark
Kaleiçi, a historic district that stands as one of the iconic spots in Antalya, Turkey's tourism capital, is experiencing bustling days with the onset of the summer season. According to official records, this historic settlement, which has a resident population fluctuating between merely 500 and 600, hosts approximately 50,000 people as the day turns into night.
Its history dates back to before the Common Era.
With its rich history dating back to the late 4th century BC, Kaleiçi stands out as a historical gem. Around the middle of the 2nd century BC, it was transformed into a strategic port city by King Attalos of Pergamon. This region, where life has continued uninterrupted for over two millennia, has hosted civilizations from the Hellenistic period through to the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. The settlement, composed of four main neighborhoods - Selçuk, Kılınçarslan, Barbaros, and Tuzcular, offers its visitors a journey through time with its narrow streets scented with bougainvillea and mansions bearing the traces of Greek and Ottoman architecture.
The district, home to roughly 600 people, hosts 50,000 individuals during the night.
The rhythm of life in Kaleiçi exhibits a stark contrast between day and night hours. According to official records, while the district is home to approximately 500 people, it hosts a whopping 50,000 individuals as soon as night falls.
With the influence of warm weather, both local and foreign tourists who spend their daytime hours along the coastal strips and seaside, shift their focus to this historic district with the setting of the sun. The hustle and bustle commences around 8 p.m., reaching its peak with the opening of entertainment venues, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The density of people and the vibrant atmosphere in the area persist uninterrupted until the first light of dawn, around 4 a.m.
"It's a great thing for tradespeople and businesses."
Alp Özel, the President of the Antalya Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association (ANTOB), shared his experiences of living in Kaleiçi, a popular tourist destination. 'I'm one of the 500 residents living here in Kaleiçi,' he began. 'The population swells to a hundred times that of the local residents with the influx of tourists. This human circulation, in essence, is a boon for many local businesses and establishments. However, those of us who reside here face certain issues, primarily logistical. Yet, we usually manage to resolve them during the daytime. Living here has its advantages and disadvantages,' he concluded.
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