Kaleiçi: A Comprehensive Guide to Antalya's Charming Old Town
Kaleiçi, situated on the coast and bordering Muratpaşa district of Antalya, is a historic city center that exudes charm and character. Its winding streets are lined with architectural gems that bear witness to Antalya's rich history. In this article, we have compiled a list of must-see places in Kaleiçi that showcase the area's fascinating past and bring it to life for modern-day visitors.
How to Get to Kaleiçi?
In order to go to Kaleiçi, it is necessary to get off the planes arriving in Antalya and board Havaş vehicles. After boarding Havaş, you arrive at the 5M Migros Shopping Mall stop, which is the last stop after a journey of about 35 minutes. You can also return to Antalya Airport with round-the-clock services.
Located in the center of Antalya, Kaleiçi is a part of Muratpaşa district. How many minutes is it between Kaleici and Belek, Kemer, Olympos? Let's learn together!
Belek Kaleici 45 kilometers, 60 minutes,
Kemer Kaleici 44 kilometers, 60 minutes ,
Olimpos Kaleici 81 kilometers, 90 minutes
Alanya Kaleici 136 kilometers, 131 minutes
General Information about Kaleici, Which is Home to More Than One Empire
Kaleiçi is connected to Muratpaşa, one of the five central districts of Antalya province. It has hosted civilizations with its horseshoe-like walls. In fact, it has hosted not only civilizations but also pirates, so its name has become famous as a Pirate Port.
When Antalya was in the Kingdom of Bergama, Kaleici was quite developed. After the fall of the Kingdom of Pergamon, this place became the abode of pirates. With the conquest of the Roman Empire, the walls were expanded and trade gained great momentum. With the acceleration of trade, Attaleia has become one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean.
Hadrian (Hadrianus), one of the most important rulers of the Roman Empire, came to visit Attaleia and gave his name to the Hadrian's Gate, which we will talk about in a moment.
The growth of Kaleici began with the Hellenistic period, and then gained great momentum in Rome. for more than 2 thousand years, Kaleiçi has always continued to increase its momentum. After the Roman Empire, it was also one of the important positions in the Byzantine period. With the capture of this place by the Ottoman Empire, it has become one of the important sanjak places.
Features of Kaleici, One of the Sanjak Places of the Ottoman Empire
Cumhuriyet Square is one of the first places visited by those who come here. The Fluted Minaret, one of the symbols of Antalya, located on Cumhuriyet Square, immediately shows itself. When you start watching the city from here, the first thing that attracts your attention is the horseshoe-shaped walls. The horseshoe-shaped walls located in Kaleiçi have been surrounding Kaleiçi for more than 2 thousand years.
A large majority of the walls have been destroyed. Despite this, even those who are left behind reveal sections of Attaleia's glorious past. The walls you have seen in the shape of a horseshoe welcome their guests as a common heritage of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Every empire has made additions to these walls, so there is something from every state that lives here.
Kaleici, which has narrow and winding streets, descends from the beginning of the slope to the sea. Each street has a separate history and a separate mystery.
The houses in Kaleiçi have bay windows and tile roofs. Usually houses have 2 or 3 floors. In Antalya, where the summer season is quite hot, the houses are designed accordingly and made of materials that prevent the temperature. For centuries, people from different religions, languages and races have established friendly relations in Kaleiçi.
Nowadays, Kaleiçi houses have been renovated, colorful painted and decorated on the exterior. after the 1980s, the number of people living here decreased, and Kaleici began to stand out with tourism. Most of the houses located here now welcome guests as a hostel, restaurant, bar or shop.
Activities to Do in Kaleiçi
The to-do list in Kaleiçi, which has great historical importance, is now with you...
· Visit the Republic Square.
· Go to the Fluted Minaret located on Cumhuriyet Square.
· From Republic Square, watch the horseshoe-shaped walls that have hosted many Empires.
· Get lost in the narrow and winding streets of Kaleici.
· Eat sprede fritters.
· Have a great night at the Up Shot Bar or Holly Stone and have fun.
· Take a great view of Antalya from the Glass Terrace.
· Soak up the sun while sipping your drink at the establishments located in Keçili Park.
· Take a walk in Karaalioglu Park.
· Visit the Suna-Inan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum.
· Get on the Submarine in the marina and explore the underside of the sea.
· Enjoy the view of Antalya from the elevator.
· Try making tea and sweets at a shop called Justacandy.
· Join the boat tours.
Places to Visit in Kaleici
We have compiled for you the things that will be done in Kaleiçi, which is the pupil of Antalya center. Now there are places to visit next. We have compiled everything for you from the Yivli Minaret Mosque and Complex to the Clock Tower; from Karaalioglu Park to the Up Shot Bar, where you can have fun at night.
1. The Historic Hadrian's Gate
The historical Hadrian's Gate, one of the best preserved historical monuments in Antalya, was built in 130 BC after the dedication of the Roman emperor Hadrian. This door has not been used for a long time, so it has reached to this day.
This structure, the other name of which is Üçkapılar, was built as a result of Hadrian's visit to Antalya in the year 130. This door, which has three arches, consists of four marble columns on both facades and two towers located on the sides.
2. Yivli Minaret Mosque and Complex
The Fluted Minaret has become the symbol of Antalya. It is one of the first Islamic monuments located in the center of Antalya.
Yivli Mosque, Atabey Armagan Madrasa (II.Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa), Imaret Madrasa (Ulu Mosque Madrasa), Mevlevihane, Yivli Minaret Bath, Zincirkıran Mehmed Bey and Nigar Hatun tombs are the most famous of the structure consisting of the Yivli Minaret.
This minaret, which was built at the beginning of the thirteenth century, was built during the reign of Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I. For this reason, it is also known by the name of Alaaddin Mosque. The Yivli Minaret Mosque, the oldest mosque in the city, has the characteristic of being the oldest example of a multi-domed mosque in Anadolu Selcuklu architecture. this mosque, which has 6 domes, is rectangular in structure. When the materials of the mosque are examined, it is impossible not to notice the remains of antiquity.
Address: Selçuk, Iskele Cd., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya
Phone: (0242) 244 75 50
3. Clock Tower
The Clock Tower, which is located on Cumhuriyet Street, is located in the Kalekapisi locality. The clock tower, one of the symbols of the city of Antalya, remains a mystery by whom it was built and when. However, it is believed that it was built by Grand Vizier Küçük Sait Pasha in dedication to the twenty-fifth year of Sultan Abdülhamit II's accession to the throne.
The height of the clock tower is 14 meters, and there is a clock on all sides of this structure and a bell at the top. This bell is the oldest part of the tower. Because the clocks in this tower have been changed.
Address: Tuzcular, Imaret Sk., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya
4. Kaleiçi Panoramic Elevator
Kaleiçi Panoramic Elevator was built in 2014. Transportation to Kaleiçi becomes easier with this elevator made with the aim of facilitating the landing at the marina. You can use this elevator for free, which facilitates landings and exits.
Address: Selçuk, Variant Sk., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya
5. Suna-Inan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum
Suna-Inan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum is an ethnographic museum that is definitely a must-see. This museum was built by Vehbi Koç's daughter Suna Kıraç and his wife Inan Kıraç.
There is a traditional Turkish house and an Orthodox church inside this museum. These buildings, which were in a Decrepit state before the couple bought these buildings, underwent necessary renovations between 1993 and 1995 and were opened as a museum in 1995.
Address: Barbaros Mah. Kocatepe Sok, Civelek Sk. No: 25, 07100 Muratpasa/Antalya
Working hours: 09.00-18.00
Phone: (0242) 243 42 74
6. Antalya Toy Museum
Antalya Toy Museum was opened for service on April 23, 2011. Turkey's first toy museum was established in Istanbul, then in Izmir and the third museum was established in Antalya. Antalya Toy Museum is waiting to welcome all its guests big and small with 3 thousand toys.
In this museum, many toys are exhibited, from ancient toys to modern toys.
Address: Selçuk Mah Marina Sok. No:112, 07000 Muratpasa/Antalya
Working hours: 09.00-18.00
Website: oyuncakmuzesi.antalya.bel.tr/
7. Antalya Ethnographic Museum
You will encounter very nice things about Antalya at the Antalya Ethnography Museum. The museum consists of two separate mansions, the lower mansion and the upper mansion. Both buildings are dated to the nineteenth century, built in the form of classical Ottoman architecture.
The lower mansion, i.e. the number one mansion, contains Turkish Islamic Artifacts, while the upper mansion, i.e. the number two mansion, contains items specific to the Antalya region. While the tiles especially attract great attention in the lower mansion, different tile works especially from the Seljuk period to the Ottoman period attract the attention of the guests.
Address: Kılınçarslan, Civelek Sk. No:20, 07100 Muratpasa/Antalya
Working hours: 08.30-20.00
8. Hidirlik Tower
It is believed that the Hidirlik Tower was built after the second century BC and during the reign of emperor Hadrian. Hidirlik Tower, one of the symbolic buildings of the city, is located on the south side of the Kaleici walls.
Located on the sea side of Karaalioğlu Park, this tower is beautiful separately during the day and at night. The lower part of this tower is designed as a square and the upper part is designed as a cylinder body. Hidirlik Tower, which has a height of 14 meters, has been used for both defense and surveillance purposes for centuries.
Address: Kılınçarslan, Hidırlık Sk. No:50, 07100 Muratpasa/Antalya
9. Karaalioglu Park
Karaalioğlu Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. And if you happened to coincide with the setting of the sun, well done. this park, the foundations of which were laid in the 1930s, is one of the symbols of the city.
There are main streets, walking paths, pools, sculptures, trees, plants in the park. The park covers an area of 140,000 square meters. There are various sculptures in Karaalioğlu Park such as Kuzgun Acar's “Hand” statue and Mehmet Aksoy's “Worker and Child”.
Address: Kılınçarslan, Park Sk., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya
10. Holly Stone
Holly Stone, one of the important venues of Kaleici, impresses its guests with its live music. It manages to make itself liked with his alternative, jazz and rock-oriented stage performances.
Address: Selçuk, Selçuk Mah, Uzun Çarşı Sk. No:42, 07100 Muratpasa/Antalya
Working hours: 17.00-04.00
Phone: 0533 037 07 07
Instagram account: hollystone.com.tr
Website: hollystone.com.tr/
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