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ASPENDOS After passing Serik on the Antalya-Alanya highway, you turn north and continue for 4 km. Aspendos dates back to the 5th century B.C. The theatre, which was built in the 2nd century A.D., was periodically repaired by the Seljuks who used it as a caravanserai. It is one of the best preserved theatres to be found today. Allowing 0.50 m per seat, the theatre holds 17000 spectators, with an additional for 500 in the orchestra. Today it is used for concerts, festivals and grease wrestling events. In addition to the theatre the agora, basilica, nymphaeum and 15 km of aqueducts are to be seen. The pressured aqueduct system is a feat of engineering from the Roman period. ************************************************* PERGE This city was built 18km east of Antalya between the Duden and Aksu streams. Is reached along the Antalya-Alanya highway, turning north at Aksu. As it was not on the coast, it was not subjected to raids by pirates and therefore continued its progress without interruption. It was settled in 1200 B.C. In 332 B.C. Perge, like Side, reached an agreement with Alexander and thus did not go to war or suffer the usual ravages. It lived through the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine epochs. Its 15,000 spectator theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D. and the nearby stadium could hold 12000. With the exception of the Aphrodisias stadium, it is the best preserved in Anatolia. There are 30 rooms, believed to have been used as shops, underneath the stadium seats. A great many statues and other valuable items have been unearthed in recent digs, of which many are in the Antalya Museum. Some of the things worth seeing in Perge are the gates, agora, nymphaeum, the pillared streets, sarcophagi, basilica and acropolis. ************************************************* SIDE Side is to be reached by turning right 3 km before Manavgat on the Antalya- Alanya highway. The exact date of its founding is not known. In the language of Anatolia, 'Side' means Pomegranate. From inscriptions it appears that Side dates back to the Hittites. The city was constructed on a peninsula and was a Hellenistic and Roman town, protected by city and sea walls. One's attention is particularly drawn to the city gates and walls, as well as the many remains of aqueducts which brought water from the Taurus mountain foothills and surrounding country. The old baths have been restored and turned into a museum, in which are exhibited some of the statues and art treasures found in Side. One of its most important buildings is its 15000 spectator theatre. The difference between this Roman theatre and other antique theatres in the region is that it is not built against a hillside. The 2 storey theatre, built on a series of arches, is 20 m high. The orchestra and stage are in a state of ruin. Rainwater channels run under the theatre. Side has colonnaded streets, a triumphal arch, harbour, baths, fountains, cisterns, aquaducts, temples and a agora. ************************************************* PHASELIS Phaselis is reached one km after turning left 57km along the Antalya-Kemer highway. This was settled by the Rhodians in the 7th century B.C. and for many years was claimed to be the most important port city of the eastern Lycian seaboard. Phaselis has three harbours the north, the military protected and the south harbour, of which the most important is the later. A 220-24 m wide avenue runs throughout the city. The western end is the site of Hadrians Gate. On both sides of the avenue are sidewalks and shops. Close to these can be seen the public places like baths, theatre and agora. It is reached by road and also from the sea. ************************************************* OLYMPOS It is located between Kemer and Adrasan. After passing Phaselis on the Antalya- Kumluca road, signpost leading to Olympus and Cirali will be seen and Olympus can be reached by following either route. Cirali is the name of the village near Olympus, which was a port city established in the 2nd century B.C. and abandoned in the 6th century A.D. The famous myth of Bellerophontes fighting the Chimera took place here. The antique city is on both sides of a beautiful valley. A sandy beach is found where the town and the valley meet the sea, into which a mountain stream flows. An hour's walk from Olympus brings you to the natural phenomenon of the Chimera. Known by the inhabitants as the 'burning mountain', it is a result of escaping natural gas, whose flames have been shooting heavenwards for centuries. The path to the Chimera is narrow and steep but is well marked.
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