History

Alanya is the Turkish resort of choice and its most enjoyable city. This fortified peninsular beach town of coastal Anatolia has been crisscrossed by multiethnic ownership and associations of classical and multicultural conquest for over a millennia. The Alanya district houses around 400,00 people comprised of residents, tourists, and guests. Anatolian citizens of Alanya are almost 99% Muslim and almost all Muslim culture inhabits this Turkish tourist favorite.

Alanya has been ruled by over Roman Caesars, Egyptian Mamelukes, Ottoman Sultans and Beys aplenty. Beach caves near the Alanya coast and Phoenician artifacts feature signs of early human occupation and culture. Early inhabitance through Hellenistic eras and Alexandrian conquest segued into Greek ownership, then Ptolemaic rule, then back again.

The port and harbor access to the central Mediterranean port of Alanya understandable encouraged a prate citizenry. Seleucid resistance in 199 B. C. resulted in a pirate uprising and actual government overrule. The red brick tower constructed inside the bay harbor was built specifically to discourage pirate plunder of seagoing cargo and ships. The dry dock design of Alanya’s harbor indicated a safe place to repair and build ships.

The constant struggle to occupy and rule Alanya continued. Alanyan pirate Diodetus Tryphon grabbed the crown, and his overthrow caused vainglorious architecture building that forms much of tourist worthy Alanya today. By 102 B. C. Silesian pirates were resisting Marcus Antonius Orator’s proconsulship from Side. Even Roman powers like Consul P. Servilius Vatia and the famous Roman General Pompey couldn’t get the Isaurian bandits to back down. Finally, Romans overcame. Vatia wore the epithet “Isauricus” for his Roman triumph for these Silesian pirate victories.

Alanya spurred tribe revolt and regional rebellion, and central control and struggle to own the harbor power of this Anatolian city continued. Every major dynasty from Alexander to the Ptolemies, from the Armenian Kings to the Ottoman Sultan through Turkish Bey rule wanted the Alanyan resources to call their own. Arab raids brought Islamic influences into the city. The militaristic fortifications answering these raids inspired the Seljuk dynasty to bring Alanya under its banner.

Intermittent interdependence on various cultures yielded a stronger, more viable culture yet the city fell in value because its rulers often had better or more opportune harbors and shipping nexi than Alanya. Byzantine Empire allocation to Pampthylian domain directed the Alanyan harbor to ultimate Ottomanic rule. Thus, it became the disputed property of Turkish Beylic designs. By 1221, Crusades had driven Alanya back into Armenian hands, who formed a “winter capital” culture inside its barriers.

Mongol invasion came next, Pashas, then the Ottomans again. Everyone who was anyone invaded and took over Alanya in the classic Mediterranean era. The Golden Age of Alanya spurred is military fortification s, but trade (ironically) became weak with decentralized ports moving to more “Great Horn” European favored trade routes. By the time Cypriot rule owned Alanya, world tides of fate changed again. The late Turkish Republic turned Alanya over to Italy after World War One negotiations.

Alanya today harbors fresh fruit and vegetable agriculture, tourism as its main industry, and Christians enjoy a safe travel passage in this almost wholly Islamic people country. With the local airport pending, Alanya’s cruise ship view of local harbors and beachside trips to exotic caves may be accessible to the Western world. The resort traveler, beachcomber, lounge lizard and cultural investigator can all enjoy facets of Alanya.

Alanya is not stuck in the Middle Ages, however. Cultural festivals, militaristic medieval architecture, and good local hospitals and schools attract many more residents and visitors each year. Radio stations and newspapers contribute to local dialogues and culture. Foreign ownership of property has attracted real estate buyers in droves. But the port investment and tourism industry for travelers keeps Alanya’s people happy and viable. Tourists from every culture are welcomed to this Anatolian travel destination.

And there is always Turkey’s largest go-cart track.