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Turkey has heen called "the cradle of civilizaton" and by traveling through this historic land...

2007-12-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

TURKEY

Turkey has heen called "the cradle of civilizaton" and by traveling through this historic land, tourists will discover exactly what is meant by this phrase. The world's first town, a neolithic city at Catalhoyuk, dates back to 6,500 B.C. From the days of Catalhoyuk up to the present, Turkey boasts a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civilization.

The heir to many centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paradise of information and cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittitess, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans have all made important contributions to Turkish history, and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof of each civilizaton''s unique distinction. Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soldier by occupation but in character a great visionary, took the defeat of World War I and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey of all foreign invaders. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and complete modernization. Through decades of change and growth, Turkey still boasts this success, living by its adopted motto of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World".

MEVLANA 2007

2007-12-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

MEVLANA 2007

800th anniversary of the birth of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Belhi-Rumi (Maulānā Jalāl-ud-Dīn Balkhī Rūmī), poet and philosopher (1207-1273) is being celebrated all over the world. Eminent philosopher and mystical poet of Islam, Rumi advocated tolerance, reason and access to knowledge through love. His mystical relationship with Islam produced masterpieces that have marked Islamic culture and religious beliefs, well beyond the borders of Turkey. His work and thought remain universally relevant today.

Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi

One of the most beautiful verses of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, "the renowned Turkish philosopher and father of Mysticism" is the following:

"Come, come again, whoever, whatever you may be, come. Heathen, fire worshipper, sinner of idolatry, come. Come if you have broken your vows a hundred times. Ours is not the portal of despair or misery, come."

In the last decades of the Twentieth Century the spiritual influence of Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi is being strongly felt by people of diverse beliefs throughout the Western world. He is being recognized here in the West, as he has been for seven centuries in the Middle East and Western Asia, as one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of all time. Different qualities of Rumi have been brought forth by a variety of new translations that have appeared during the nineteen-eighties. He has been presented as both refined and sensual, sober and ecstatic, deeply serious and extremely funny, rarefied and accessible. It is a sign of his profound universality that he has been so many things to so many people.

Mevlana was born in the city of Belh of the Horasan country which falls within the boundaries of current Afghanistan, on September 30, 1207. Mevlana's father was Bahaeddin Veled, the son of Hüseyin Hatibi, who, besides being one of the notables of city, was also known in his life time as the"Sultan of the Scholars". His mother was Mümine Hatun, the daughter of Rükneddin, who was the Emir of Behl. Sultanü'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled, because of certain political incidents and the approaching Mongolian invasion could no longer stay in the city. Thus, in the year 1212 or 1213 Sultanü'l - Ulema left Behl with the members of his family and close friends. His first stop was Nişabur where he met the well known Sufi Feridüddin Attar. There, despite his young age Mevlana was noticed by Feridüddin Attar who showed his appreciation and approval of the young man. Sultanü'l - Ulema moved from Nişabur to Baghdat and later took off for Kaaba through Küfe. On his way back from the priglimage he stopped at Damascus and from Damascus he reached Larende (Karaman) passing through Malatya, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri and Niğde. They settled in the theological school (medrese) built by Subaşı Emir Musa. Sultanü'l - Ulema and his family who arrived at Karaman in 1222, stayed there for 7 years. There, Mevlana married Gevher Hatun who was the daughter of Şerefeddin Lala. The marriage gave Mevlana two sons named Sultan Veled and Alaeddin Çelebi. Years later, with Gevher Hatun dead, Mevlana married for a second time with Kerra Hatun, who was a widow with a child. Second marriage also gave him two sons, Muzaferreddin and Emir Alim Çelebi, and a daughter called Melike Hatun. During those years the greater part of Anatolia was under the reign of the Seljuk State and Konya was the capital. Hence Konya was bestowed with works of art and artists, and scholars were abundant in the city. In short, Seljuk State headed by Alaeddin Keykubad, was enjoying its most spectacular days.

Alaeddin Keykubad invited Sultanü'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled from Karaman and asked him to settle in Konya. Bahaeddin Veled accepted the invitation of the Sultan and arrived in Konya on May 3, 1228 with his family and friends. Sultan Alaeddin met them with great ceremony and allocated the Altunapa (İplikçi) Medrese (theological school) to their use. Sultanü'l - Ulema died in Konya on January 12, 1231. The rose garden of the Seljuk palace was chosen for his grave and he was buried at the same spot the grave stands today at the Mevlevi lodge which is now used as a museum. When Sultanü'l - Ulema passed away, his students and followers gathered around Mevlana, regarding him as the sole heir of his father. In fact Mevlana had become a great scientific and religous scholar and was sermoning at the İplikçi Medrese. His sermons were drawing large crowds. Mevlana met Şems-i Tebrizi on November 15, 1244. Mevlana found in his character "the existance of absolute maturity" and saw in his face "the spiritual lights of God". However their companionship did not las long as Şems suddenly died. After this death, Mevlana went into long years of seclusion. In later years, Selahaddin Zerkubi and Hüsameddin Çelebi tried to compansate the loss of Şems-i Tebrizi Mevlana, who summarized his life with the words, "I was raw, cooked and then burned" died on Sunday, December 17,1273. He had willed his burial prayers to be led by Sadrettin Konevi. However, Sadrettin Konevi was completely shattered with the death of Mevlana whom he loved greatly, and fainted at the ceremony. The prayer was then led by Kadı Sıraceddin. Mevlana believed the day of death to be a day of rebirth. Death would take him to his beloved; that is, the God. With this believe he was referring to the day of death as "Şeb-i Arus" which means wedding day or the bridal night and willed his friends not to cry and wail after him. "When we are dead, do not turn your eyes to the ground, seeking my grave! My grave will be in the hearts of the wise" Hz. Mevlana

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DERVISHHOOD : A dervish is an apprentice, one who is learning the professionthat will provide eternal livelihood. This profession is still taught in certain schools of higher learning. While there are many skills that can be self-taught or learned alone, the skills of dervishood are learned by being in relationship to a shaikh, or guide, and within a spiritual family, a Sufi circle. There will always be much to learn on one's own, through one's own efforts, and within one's own understanding. The final responsibility, of course, lies with ourselves, and in reality there is no intermediary between us and our God. And yet one can no more become a dervish alone than one can become a lover alone. Mevlana's Mausoleum / source: mevlana.net People will dedicate the whole of their lives to becoming a accomplished musician or a professional athlete. In doing so they will have to organize the whole of their lives around this one master desire. A dervish is one who has made Truth his or her master desire and is willing to submit all other desires and aims before this aim. It is possible to make Sufism a pastime, one interest among others, but that does not make one a dervish. It is fine to read widely and become acquainted with various traditions, but to be a Sufi is much more than to have a preference for reading Sufi books or listening to Sufi music.

The price of dervishood is one's whole life, a total commitment of one's life energies. Fortunately, in our tradition it does not mean the abandonment of a productive and socially useful livelihood, nor the renunciation of marriage and family, but it does mean that everything we are involved with will be understood and arranged from the perspective of our essential spiritual intention. Certain lifestyles may not be consistent with our intention; certain forms of livelihood may not be appropriate in light of the more stringent requirements of remembering God with each breath. We may find that we are not asked to sacrifice everything, that the Way does not contradict our essential humanity.

MESNEVI : Mesnevi is the name given to a certain poetry style in the classical eastern literature. It's dictionary meaning is "two by two" or "doubleness". In literature the verses which have the same measure and where each couplet is in rhyme seperately within itself are called Mesnevi. As each couplet rhymes within itself even though all have the same measure, there is great ease in writing the Mesnevi. Hence for themes which are likely to be long, or for stories to be told in verse form, Mesnevi style was chosen for its easy rhyme mould. Even though Mesnevi is a verse style of the classical eastern poetry, the word "Mesnevi" always brings to mind the "Mesnevi of Mevlana" Mevlana wrote his mesnevi upon the request of Çelebi Hüsameddin. According to his secretary Hüsameddin Çelebi, Mevlana would come up with the couplets when relaxing at Meram, while sitting, walking and even during the Samah; and the Çelebi Hüsameedin would note them down. The language of Mesnevi is Persian. According to the oldest copy available which is dated 1278, and displayed at the Mevlana Museum the number of couplets is 25618 Measure of the Mesnevi is : Fa i la tün - Fa i la tün - Fa i lün

Important Links :Goturkey Mevlana Museum Video Works of Mevlana Mevlana.net (Mevlana's Own Family) Rumi2007 (Whirling Dervishes)

Antalya Konyaaltı Beach !

2007-08-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

FETHIYE GULF !

2007-08-30T04:55:00.000-07:00

FETHIYE GULF

When you turn around Cape Kurtoglu, on your way from Marmaris, you enter into the Gulf of Fethiye which is one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world. There are 12 islands, both small and large, and many inlets each more beautiful than the other in this gulf situated between the capes of Kurtoglu and Iblis and covered with forests. The inlets and islands which are ideal shelters for yachts, can be reached by means of boats that start from Fethiye and Göcek for daily excursions. These extremely beautiful inlets will make you have a very good time here. The first island near Fethiye in the gulf is the one named Sövalye Adasi (Knight's Island). The island succeeding it, is Kizilada (the Red Island). In the north, there are the islands of Deliktas and Tavsan. The island of Katrancik is located opposite the inlet named Küçük Kargi Koyu and the Island of Göcek is located opposite the village Göcek. The islands called Yassica Adalari are to the south of the Island of Göcek and in the south there is the Island of Haci Halil and the small island near it, is called Seytanli Ada.The largest islands in the gulf of Fethiye, namely the Islands of Tersane and Domuz, are near the peninsula. The inlets and islands in the west coast of the gulf of Fethiye, have been worked out almost like lacework by nature. This part of the gulf is more interesting owing to its verdure and exquisite inlets. There are many inlets surrounded by green forests on the eastern shores of the Gulf of Fethiye, similar to the ones on the opposite shores.

The inlets of Katranci, Küçük Kargi and Inlice are situated here. You can reach these inlets by land too and there are forest camps in them. Göcek, which was developed owing to the yacht harbors built during recent years in the extreme north of the gulf, is the only place of habitation in the gulf. Therefore, the inlets in the gulf are also called the inlets of Göcek.The Inlet of Çiftlik (Farm Inlet) is the nearest one to Göcek and the Inlet of Doruklu is located adjacent to it and, when you turn around Cape Ince you reach the Inlet of Günlüklü which is adorned with liquidambar trees and has a fountain in it. Following these, At Bükü, Boynuz Bükü, Bedri Rahmi and Siralibük are the inlets that come into sight in all their magnificent appearance. The inlet immediately adjacent to the cape called Martin Burnu is named Dipbay. The inlets of Large and Small Sarsala, Manastir, Çamli Koy, Merdivenli Koy and the last inlet in the gulf named G6bun Koyu are all located after it. This beautiful gulf had been discovered by ancient people during the Antique Age and they had settled here before we did and enjoyed these beauties. The antique city of Lydae, above the harbor Aga Limani in the south of the Peninsula of Kapidag, is one of these. You can reach here by walking from the inlets of Aga or Manastir.In the locality called Kizilagaç, south of the Lake Kargin, there is another antique city which was named Lissa, as can be inferred by studying the epitaphs, but there isn't anything much left of this city now.

One of the ancient writers, Pliny, had written about this city where there is an acropolis with a wall made of regular stones in it and also an epitaph on the southern face of this wall. The Lycian rock tombs of the antique city of Crya above the inlet of Bedri Rahmi, formerly called Taçyaka, can be seen in the inlet. The Lycians who lived in a wide region extending from the Stream of Dalaman to Phaselis near Antalya, had carved on the rocks the models of their deceased people's houses, as a sign of respect to them. We see these tombs in Fethiye, Tlos, Pinara, Xanthos, Sura, Kekova, Myra, Kas, Limyra and other Lycian cities. We also come across a great number of sarcophagi, called the Lycian-type sarcophagi, in these cities and other Lycian cities. Some ruined remains are also seen on the islands and in the inlets. There are some Byzantine remains on the island of Tersane, formerly called Telandria, which are not very important. The Greek people who lived here, left the island during the exchange of populations effected after World War 1. Although the ruins seen on the island belong to a recent date, it is known that a habitation had existed at an earlier date too. The remains of quays and of submerged buildings found in the water west of the Island of Göcek, indicate that people had lived here in the past. You must be very careful when you pass between the islands called Yassica Adalar because there are the remains of ruined walls in the sea. There are the remains of a bridge in the narrowest part of the west side of the island named Seytan Ada; it used to serve as a passage to the island of Haci Halil in the past. There are many unknown dangerous points within the Gulf of Fethiye. A new ship is stranded in the shallows here every year. One of these shallows is in the exit of Göcek on the right hand side at a distance of 100 m. from the front of the farm camp. The second dangerous point is a shallow between Boynuz Bükü and Yassicalar, in the direction of 150 m towards Göcek and it cannot be seen. This point is shown by means of a sign buoy. Another dangerous point is the shallow in the northwest of the island of Haci Halil. You need to pass at a distance 100 or 200 m. from this point. Moreover, the zone amongst Yassica Adalar is also shallow and it is not possible for every type of ship to pass through here.

There is rocky place at a depth of 4.5 meters under the sea near the rock named 12, which is situated two knots east of the island of Tersane. The sailships that don't want to enter the Gulf of Fethiye after having passed around Cape Kurtoglu, can pass the night in the inlet of Kizilkuyruk. The inlet is closed to the West and Southwest winds and there is a small beach in it. Let's pass between Domuz Adasi and the peninsula and drop anchor in one of the beautiful inlets of Fethiye. Or let's go directly to Göcek and obtain our necessities there and then start on our dreamlike voyage in the inlets of Göcek.

Kas - Antalya - The Ultimate Heaven ! Real Heaven...

2007-05-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Kas - the ultimate heaven

Raki Time ( Rakı Zamanı )

2007-05-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Düden Waterfall

2007-05-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Düden Waterfall

Yivli Minare Mosque

2007-05-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yivli Minare Mosque - Antalya

Strengthining the Vocational Education and Training Project

2007-05-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Strengthining the Vocational Education and Training Project
'SVET' is an educational project supported by EU. This project aims to form a model dealing with roles of local administrations in vocational education in Turkey as in many European country.

Svet (Strengthining the Vocational Education and Training Project) is an educational project supported by EU. This project aims to form a model dealing with roles of local administrations in vocational education in Turkey as in many European country. Total budget of the project is 58,2 million Euro. 25 million Euro of this budget is for equipment necessity of pilot institutions, 17 million Euro is separated for micro educational projects.

Our municipality is only one pilot municipality of 105 pilot educational institutions selected in Svet Project in Turkey. In the worth of 32 000 YTL equipment was donated to our municipality by EU in order to use in Svet Project and constitute a Computer Laboratory for education.
Aim of the Svet Project is to provide the promotion of the work power necessary for the local economy. At the end of the project our Municipality has got an adult educational institute at the same level with other European countries. So, municipality can plan local work power with social partners, promote service quality by arranging educational programs and increase cooperation between institutions in local level.

In Svet project, the following adult training courses will be opened; the Office Management and Secretary, Technical Service of Computer and Technical Service of Office Equipments. The graduates having four years education in Svet program will have a diploma valid international level. Moreover, in future the vocational courses opened in ASMEK (Antalya Art and Educational Center) are planned to be included in Svet Project.

CONTACT ADDRESS:Antalya Büyükşehir BelediyesiKaraalioğlu Parkı içiEğitim Şube Müdürlüğü

Tel: +90 242 249 52 98 +90 242 249 52 90Fax:+90 242 249 52 91

e-mail: megep@antalya.bel.tr

A N T A L Y A TURKEY - TÜRKİYE

2007-05-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

A N T A L Y A TURKEY - TÜRKİYE

A N T A L Y A

GENERAL INFORMATION ON ANTALYA

The Taurus mountain range of southern Anatolia runs parallel to the Mediterranean in an east-west direction, resulting in the formation of narrow coastal plains, which are surrounded by mountains on three sides and open to the south sea. On some parts of the coast, where the mountains plunge sharply into the sea, small natural bays and peninsulas are formed. Antalya is situated on a plain which consists of two flat areas formed of falez rock at a height of 35 m, where the mountains recede from the shore. On the first rocky plain on the coast is the town centre and on the plain behind it, named Kepezüstü, small settlement units have been established. The coast is 530 km in length and borders with Eşen in the west and Kaledran creek in the east. The province has an area of 20,820 km2. The soil of the plain is made up of conglomerate, alluvium and travertine falez rocks. The Taurus mountains, formed of limestone and serpentine lands, with karst surface formations, have many deep valleys, caves, crevices and faults. In the marshy areas at a height of 300 m from the coast scrub trees, known as maquis, are found. These include oleander, wild strawberries, sandalwood, strawberry trees, myrtle, chinaberry trees, bay, chaste trees, carob trees, broom and spurge. Thyme, sage, saffron, burdock, asphodel, asparagus, blackberry, chrysanthemum and, sparsely, oak, Oriental plane, wild pear, olive and linden trees are also found. 300 metres further on in, the red pine and oak forests, and marshes with eucalyptus trees can be seen. 1200 m further on the forests with cedar, fir trees, Scotch pine, juniper and beech begin. As the alluvial soil on the plains is suitable for agriculture, vegetables, fruit and flowers are grown in greenhouses for export. Open orange, mandarin, lemon and grapefruit gardens can be seen in the vicinity, in the warm Mediterranean winds. On the east of the Antalya plain, banana and avocado are grown. Cotton is sown as an industrial plant and cotton production, along with cotton mills and textile factories, holds great potential for Turkey. Apples, pears, quince, grapes and sesame are grown on the mountainous plateaus. The regional fauna is very good for hunting tours. In Düzlerçamı on the Taurus mountains, covering an area of 10,000 hectares, fallow deer, wild goat and roe deer hunting is permitted on a controlled basis. Wolves, foxes, brown bears, martens, wild boar, wild cats and jackals are the wild species that are often found. The Taurus Leopard was known to exist until recently. Partridge, quail, turtle dove, wild pigeon, blackbird, woodcock, francolin and wild duck can be regarded as game birds. The region is well-known for its grida fish; in addition to this, sea bream, horse mackerel, black bream, gilt-head, grey mullet, gurnard, whiting, bonito, striped red mullet, needlefish, large bonito, red gurnard and red mullet are among the major sea fish, other sea produce includes hermit crab, lobster, shrimp, cuttle-fish and mussel. In addition, cage fishing is carried out in the sea at six points on the coast where sea-bass and grey mullet are bred. Fresh water line fishing is carried out in the Eşen, Dim, Köprüçay, Manavgat, Akçay and Alara rivers. The fish restaurants established within water in the Dim Creek are particularly famous. The main fresh water fish are fresh water chub, fresh water perch, carp, mirror-carp, eel, bleak and tench. There are numerous trout production farms and restaurants in those parts of the Taurus Mountains close to water and river beds. The province of Antalya is located between the north latitudes of 36,07° - 37,29° and east longitudes of 29,20° - 32,35°. Since the area is closed to the cold northerly winds, it is characterized by the typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and moderately warm and rainy winters. In the area with sunny weather for 10 months a year the temperature climbs up to 45°C in July and August. The sea breeze and the northeasterly winds blowing from inland relieve the area under this temperature.

Months
Average temperature
Seawater temperature
January
16,5
17,6
February
16,6
17
March
18
16,5
April
20,5
18,5
May
24
20,5
June
29
24,5
July
32
28,5
August
33
29,5
September
30
27,5
October
27
25
November
22
21
December
18
18

The highest point of the Taurus mountains is Akdağ at an altitude of 3025 metres. Located to the northwest of the city centre and at a distance of 50 km is the Saklıkent ski and recreation centre on Beydağları. Here one can ski and then go down to the shore and into the sea during the months of January-April. Thanks to this characteristic the city is called the Turkish riviera. In Saklıkent there are two teleski and ski courses along with villas and accommodation facilities available in the area. Situated on Bakırlı Hill behind Saklıkent is the Antalya National Space Observatory with a reflecting telescope 40 m in diameter and a telescope 150 cm in diameter. It is possible to watch meteor showers and shooting stars on certain days of the year. In rivers rafting and canoeing sports and on the Taurus mountains jeep safari, hunting and trekking tours are organised. Alternatively, there is rock-climbing, bird watching tourism, photo-safari, mountain tourism, line fishing and health tourism at the thalasso and dialysis centres in Geyirbayır. Holy tourism activities are organized in Myra, St.Nicholas and Patara. There are underwater diving centres on the coast, primarily in Kemer, Çamyuva, Olympos, Adrasan, Kaş, Kalkan, Üçağız, Kekova, Side and Alanya. In addition, yacht tours are organized from the port of Antalya to Düden Waterfalls-Karpuzkaldıran and Kemer, from Side to Alanya, from Demre-Çayağzı to Kekova, from Kaş to Kekova, from Kemer to Çıralı-Olympos-Adrasan and Cape Gelidonya. There are also boat tours on Manavgat creek and canoe tours on Xanthos creek. In addition, blue voyage, which covers the southwestern Anatolian coast, ends in Antalya. There are ferryboat trips from Alanya to Cyprus and from Antalya to Italy. Antalya today is a world tourism centre with its unique touristic accommodation facilities, nature and historical beauties. The city of Antalya is managed by a governor and a city council, with one greater city and three district municipalities. The Antalya port is one of the most prominent export and import ports of Turkey. The Free Trade Zone existing within the port conveniently serves the export of all types of products, primarily being textile, mine and agricultural products.

HISTORY

As a result of the research conducted at the Karain cavern located to the north of the city it is understood that the area has been inhabited since the prehistorical era. It is known that the Turquoise/Etruscan tribes moving southwards from the Euroasian steppes in around 3000 B.C. settled and founded their city in the Antalya region as in all of Anatolia. The area is named Ahhiyava in the Hittite in******ions. It is understood that the Luwi and Lukka tribes of the Turquoises also settled in the mountainous Psidia, Lycia and Pamphilia regions located within the city limits of Antalya. The area went under the reign of Kimmer in the 7th century, subsequently followed by Persians, Macedonians, Pers, Romans and Byzantines and, finally, was seized by the Turks in 1207. The root of the name of the city is understood to be “Attala”, that is, “the City of Hakan, son of God” in the Turquoise/Luwi language. It served as the centre of the Teke Sanjak in the lands of Karamanoğulları for a certain period of time, then subordinated to the province of Konya in the 19th century and finally became a province in 1923. The city which was “Adalia” during the Roman and Byzantine eras has been converted into Antalya today through phonetic pronunciation.

DAILY LIFE, CULTURE AND ETHNOGRAPHY OF ANTALYA

Thanks to its historical background the Antalya region enjoys a rich culture and ethnography. In addition to the characteristics of settled cultures, the local people also synthesised the characteristics of the yörük (nomadic) culture, thus establishing a unique culture of their own. The migration of the local people from the shore towards the uplands on the Taurus mountains because of the excessive temperature during summers created a need as such, forcing them to produce the needs of the yörük culture in addition to the products grown on the coast. These people, owning herds of sheep and goats before everything else, first produced felt tents from the wool of these domestic animals in order to shelter themselves on the uplands and, alongside this, specialised in the production of animal produce such as milk, butter and cheese. They dried various fruits in the mountains and made jams and pickles with them, and made molasses from grapes. 40 different types of jam are made in the region including, primarily, bitter orange, bergamot, quince, apricot, apple, eggplant, watermelon, fig, wild strawberry, black mulberry and blackberry. Moreover, besides the livestock farming, dairy produce and hunting, the local people migrating to the uplands on the Taurus mountains also valued handicrafts and mainly wove the famous Döşemealtı Carpets of the area. These medium sized carpets are dyed using natural madder and are generally red, dark blue and green. With pure wool warp and weft, these carpets feature five stone, camel’s foot, branch and cross motifs. The yörüks (nomads) adorn their houses, tents, saddle- and domestic animals and new-born babies with a blue eye stone against the evil eye according to the old Turkish rules and customs in order to protect themselves from the darkness of the night and all ill-luck. Today, in the villages on the hills of the Taurus mountains known as Döşemealtı, rugs, provisions sacks, socks and various household covers are woven along with elegant crochet-work embroidery. In Akseki small household utensils such as wooden spoons are carved out of box tree wood. All of these authentic local products are sold in restored commercial buildings and souvenir shops in the city, such as Tek Kapılı Han, Alarahan, Serapsu Han and Bedesten. As for contemporary produce, all kinds of jewellery, gold handicrafts, silver, ready-to-wear leather produce, hand-woven Turkish carpets, international textile trademarks and all kinds of souvenirs are on sale in the shopping centres around the airport and at the Festival Market, Migros and Liman Megacentres. Antalya’s most famous local dishes include Piyaz, made with tahini (crushed sesame seeds), garlic, walnuts and boiled dried beans, spicy hibeş with mixed cumin and tahini, şiş köfte, tandır kebap, domates civesi, şakşuka and various cold Mediterranean dishes with olive oil.

Dönerciler Çarşısı is an authentic spot where the local dishes are found. There are fish restaurants, where all types of seafood are served, in Doğu Garajı, Meltem Çarşısı and on Lara and Konyaaltı beaches. Moreover, Döner Gazino and Restaurant located on Tünek Tepe present a splendid panorama of Antalya. Antalya folklore includes zeybek dances to music generally played on the saz, with wooden spoons, small drums and the tambourine. On parts of the Taurus mountains religious folk dances, called sema, are performed by yörüks. Yörüks also have instrumental-only folk dance tunes, called “boğaz” tunes. Antalya today is a world tourism and cultural centre with its tourism potential increasing every year. With its numerous accommodation centres, restaurants and tourism activities from Alanya to Fethiye it serves both summer and winter tourism. Various international fairs are organised in the city every year, primarily being the tourism fair at the Expo Centre and the food and beverage fairs aimed at tourism, such as Touristic Enterprises equipment. Among the important artistic and cultural activities are the international Golden Orange Film Festival organised every year, Classical Music Festivals organised at Aspendos Theatre, exhibitions, concerts, seminars, conferences and colloquiums for tourists, organised at the Glass Pyramid and the Atatürk Cultural Centre. The city also enjoys the amenities of modern life thanks to its modern theatres, art houses, exhibition halls and symphony orchestra.

HISTORICAL WORKS OF ART WITHIN THE CITY OF ANTALYA

Old Antalya is located in a place now known as Kaleiçi. Kaleiçi contains ruins dating back thousands of years, temples, churches, basilicas and 715 houses and 47 monuments from the time of the Seljuk and Ottoman dwellings. Most of these having been restored, they serve tourism. As a result of the efforts made, the Golden Apple, recognised as the Tourism Oscar, was awarded to Antalya Kaleiçi in 1984. The foremost work of art dating from the Roman era in the region is Hadrian’s Gate, built in 139 A.D. in commemoration of the Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city. Also known as Üç Kapılar, this two-tier monumental gate has three arches and 8 columns with Corinthian capitals set upon pedestals at the façade and rear. There are square watch towers on either side of the gate. On the western falez rock end of the Antalya Park, the 14-metre high, two-tier Hıdırlık Tower is visible. Dating from the Roman era, it is thought to have been used as a lighthouse. The tower, with a square base and the upper part built of rounded carved stone blocks, and remains of frescoes visible on its inner walls, was later used as a basilica. The Panagia Basilica, built by the Byzantines, to the east of the Hıdırlık Tower, was transformed into a mosque upon the addition of a single-galleried minaret by the Turkish Sultan Korkut in 1467. The building consists of two sections in the shape of a double cross and is remarkable with its arched gate and reliefs on the door-window edges, and marble columns. The fire in 1896 ruined the mosque and its minaret collapsed halfway down. Therefore, it is today called Kesik Minare (The Truncated Minaret). The symbols of the city, Yivli Minare (The Grooved Minaret) and Ulu Cami Külliyesi, were built upon the remains of the Byzantine church by Sultan Alaaddin in 1230. The frame of the 45 metre high minaret, built of brick on a square stone pedestal, was erected with bracing in the form of 8 grooves, and the upper part is embellished with light blue square mosaic stones. The words God and Muhammed are inscribed on the floor surfaces with turquoise stones and tiles. The simply constructed Ulu Cami, standing adjacent to the minaret, has 6 domes covered with roof tiles, raised on 12 columns. Immediately next to the mosque stands Karatay Medresesi, which consists of small chambers.

Besides technology, courses in science, philosophy and psychology were taught at the Medrese, which served as the college of its era. To the northwest of the Mosque is Mevlevihane. This 18th century square building is reinforced by cradle vaults and the dome is covered with roof tiles. To the east of Külliye is the Tomb of Mehmet Bey, an octagonal construction upon a square floor, walls of dressed stone blocks and a pyramid spire-shaped roof covered with roof tiles. To the west there is a Selçuklu Hamamı (Seljuk Hamam) with walls built of rubble stones, a steam room with a square layout and a roof made of round domes. The Clock Tower, onto which a clock was placed at a later period, is situated at a site known as Castle Gate and is one of the watch towers built on either side of the gate in order to protect it. Of these 25 metre high towers, the one to the east, which is still standing, has a square layout. Murat Paşa Mosque which was built by Kuyucu Murat Paşa in 1570 is covered with a high dome upon a ten-corner frame, with the in******ions on its inner walls running all through the internal façade in a ribbon while presenting the most beautiful example of the Turkish-Seljuk art of calligraphy. The altar next to the marble pulpit worked with reliefs is a simple construction. The last congregation place is covered with three domes rising above pointed arches of coloured stone on four round columns. In the city centre the Sinan Mosque ordered to be built by Sheikh Sinan during the 16th century with rubble stone was built single-galleried with the short minaret made of dressed stone. The Mosque has a wooden floor and is covered with a tiled roof. Sheikh Sinan’s tomb is situated opposite the mosque. Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque, located behind the Clock Tower at Kalekapısı (Castle Gate), dates back to the 16th century. The sides of the entrance gate located to the north and the window edges are made of dressed stone. There is one large and three small domes over the mosque, which has a rectangular layout. Balibey Mosque on Balibey street in the city centre was ordered to be constructed by the Cavalry Chief Malkoçoğlu Balibey during the 15th century. Mtüsellim Mosque, which was ordered to be built by Mehmet Ağa, the Head of the Palace Doorkeepers, in 1769 is made of dressed stone. At the northwest corner it has a single-galleried minaret made of brick. The mosque is covered by a large dome on drum frames in three stages, with 4, 8 and 10 corners. Ahi Yusuf Mosque, which was built by Ahi Yusuf in 1249, has a square foundation and is made of rubble stone. This little masjid is covered by a round dome with roof tiles. To the east of the city centre are Demirci Karaali Mosque, which was built during the 18th century, and KırCami, which was re-constructed with the addition of a minaret.

ANTALYA ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

This is the second largest museum in Turkey, covering an area of 7000 m2. The museum was awarded the “European Council Special Prize” as a result of its activities in 1988. It has 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery. There are about 5000 artefacts on display. Antalya Museum is the only museum in Turkey with a section devoted to children. In the first hall of the museum, antiquities showing homework and mathematical calculations made on clay tablets by children are displayed. In the Natural History and Prehistory Hall there are fossil and mineral samples relating to the development and living creatures of the geological era. These are pine cone fossils, sea urchins and brachiopod fossils. Also on display here are hand axes, arrowheads, cutting stones, bone tools, wedges and various instruments found at Karain and Beldibi caves in the Antalya region dating from the Prehistoric, Paleolithic, Neolithic and Calcolithic eras. In the section to the west of the hall, the antiquities and cubic and brick tomb samples found during the excavations at Elmalı Semahöyük and Karataş are displayed. Various types of baked earthenware vessels, seals, brush stems and dead skeletons discovered in these tombs are displayed within the original Cubic tomb in Hucker form, that is, in the position of an unborn baby. In the Gallery of Gods section there are various forms of black varnished figureless vessels, bellcraters depicting the battle between the amazons and the griffons, lekythoi and black and red vases discovered in Aspendos, which are decorated with three young figures dancing and holding a red vase, displayed in the showcases. In the hall where sculptures of gods are on display, there are the sculptures of Zeus, father of gods, Artemis considered as the guardian of Perge and successor of the main goddess, Leto, Fortuna, Goddess of Luck, Nemesis, Goddess of Fate, Aphrodite, Demeter, Goddess of Earth and Fertility, Serapis, Underground God, Isis, Goddess Controlling the Elements, and Hermes, guardian god of thieves-merchants. In the hall containing Small and Underwater Artefacts, the first piece was found in Foça which is a bronze statue of Herakles, the symbol of power and strength, resting on his sceptre on a bull’s head.

The statue of Atis with a Phrygian conical hat, bronze busts of Athena, goddess of intelligence and wisdom and of a negro, figures of Hermes, a bronze statue of the god Apollonius found in Seleukea, a plate displaying Athena in relief, made of solid silver, rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, medallions, necklaces and fibula made of gold and precious stones, ceramic and bronze oil lamps, in******ions and vessels with figures in relief as well as various jewellery and glass articles are on display. Underwater findings, on the other hand, mainly consist of various anchors made of stone and iron, antique amphorae, used for carrying liquids and various vessels. The other showcases display stone statuettes and unguentaria. In the Emperors Hall, in addition to the large size statues of the emperors such as Traian, Hadrianus and Augustus of the Roman era, there are also the statues of the empresses Sabina, Lulia Donna and Plancia Manga. The statues of the famous Three Beauties and the female dancer made of black and white marble are interesting examples. In the Tomb Cults Hall, sarcophagi and reliefs depicting the burial tradition are displayed. The first sarcophagus in the sarcophagi hall belongs to Damitlas Filskas and his family. It consists of a massive coffin and its lid. On the lid the husband and wife are depicted lying on a klinidion (small bed). The sarcophagus with a medallion is immediately to the left of this sarcophagus. There is a medusa’s head in a wreath at one end of the sarcophagus, in the centre, and Eros figures on the sides. The scenes on the sarcophagus symbolise a life filled with success and happiness. To the rear of the hall, there are two sarcophagi ornamented with figures illustrating various moments from the mythological life of Herakles. Additionally, there are 2 sarcophagi from Girland. One of the most striking mosaics on display in the Mosaic and Icons Hall is undoubtedly the Mosaic of Philosophers found in Seleukia around the edge of which the most reputed thinkers, orators, historians and mathematicians of the Antiquity such as Salon, Tykydires, Lykuyrgos, Herodotos, Hesiodos, Demostenes and Pytagoras are included together with their names. Moreover, the Akhilleus Mosaic found in Xanthos is well worth a visit. At the rear part of this section is the treasure of Korydalla/Kumluca. The Icons compiled from various churches primarily being St. Nicholas in Demre are displayed in the southern part of the hall. The icons here include instants from the lives of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary, Genesis, The Last Supper, Day of Judgement, Death of Holy Virgin/Koimesis, Christ Almighty, 12 Apostles, Baptism, Crucifixion, Miracles and two portraits of Father Christmas and the relics alleged to contain his bones. In the Coins Hall, the Anatolian Minting tradition, technique and economy of 2500 years dating back from the 6th century B.C. until the present day are observed in an educational sequence. Furthermore, Phrygian and Lydian coins as well as Elmalı coins found in the area and in Western Anatolia are displayed in the coins hall. In the Ethnography Hall, various artefacts such as regional art, clothing, handwritten books and weapons and vessels from the Seljuk, Ottoman and Republican eras are on display. In addition, chinaware, porcelain, religious artefacts, padlocks, long dresses with floral decoration and Yörük items are exhibited. In the middle of the Perge Hall, adjacent to the cinevision hall which has 4 Niches on the right and 3 on the left, is the Marsyas statue on a revolving pedestal around which are statues of gods, unearthed at the Perge theatre. The upper part of the wall displays friezes found at Perge theatre. At the furthest end is the Lycian Hall, with an outer façade built in the architectural style of the Lycian sarcophagi, in which findings from the Lycian era are displayed. Large pieces, such as sarcophagi, tombs, tombstones and statues which cannot be displayed inside, are displayed in the Open Air Gallery. The SUNA-İNAN KIRAÇ MEDITERRANEAN CIVILIZATIONS MUSEUM, Ayayorgi Church, built during the 17th century by the Karamanids, who were of Turkish origin and adopted the Orthodox faith, has recently been restored and transformed into a museum complex consisting of an ethnography museum, research library, photograph, document, archive and conference hall. The ATATÜRK HOUSE MUSEUM is the house which was allocated to Atatürk when he visited Antalya on March 6, 1930 and subsequently transformed into a museum where furnishings of that period as well as articles belonging to Atatürk were preserved.

DÜDEN WATERFALLS AND ESTUARY

These are located 12 km from the city centre. The waterfalls, formed by a karstic depression, are 20 metres high and also spring from underground at the point where the water falls. By entering into Dilek Mağarası (Cave of Wishes) located underneath the waterfalls it is also possible to pass to the rear side of the water. The location of the waterfalls has the appearance of a botanical heaven thanks to the rich variety of plants. In the deep valley formed by the falling and flowing water of the waterfalls there are promenades and trout restaurants. The rock tombs observed around the valley bring to mind that the area was a sacred place in ancient times. After 8km the water from the falls forms a small creek, creating a magnificent spectacle as it cascades over the 40 metre high falez rock into the sea in the Lara region. There are restaurants and picnic areas on the falez rock with a view of the sea and waterfalls. Touristic boat tours are organised to the waterfalls from the Marina.

KARAİN CAVE

Karain Cave is located about 30 km northwest of Antalya at Yağcı Village, subordinated to the settlement unit of Yeniköy. It is a prehistoric cave, located at a height of about 370 metres from the sea and about 80 metres up the slope, where the Western Taurus calcareous zone borders on the travertine plain. It was Professor I. Kılıç KÖKTEN, Professor of Prehistory at the Ankara Faculty of Language, History and Geography who began the research on Karain Cave in a systematical manner from 1946 up to 1973, when the layer of compact earth at the entrance to the cave was excavated. Excavations are still underway. According to findings revealed, it was understood that Karain Cave was continuously inhabited in the Middle Paleolithic (Stone) ages. It is possible to understand from the in******ions and monograms on the outer walls that this inhabitation also continued during the classical ages and that the cave was used as a sacred votive and worshipping place. Cultural findings in Karain Cave include hand axes, various scrapers, jewellery and arrowheads made of flintstone, in addition to bones of animals such as hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses and elephants; pieces of fossilised bones belonging to homo sapiens, humans of the middle paleolithic era. Most of the findings unearthed at Karain Cave are displayed in the small museum located where the slope borders on the plain and some of them at the Prehistory Hall of the Antalya Museum. To the east of the cave are Kırkgözler Sazlığı (Reedbed), formed by the water of Düden and renowned for its wild duck hunting, and Kırkgöz Han (Inn), measuring 25x45 metres, built by the shore of this reedbed during the 12th century. The only pass in the area located to the North of the Inn going through the Taurus mountains and connecting Central Anatolia with the Mediterranean is Çubuk Pass at an altitude of 924 metres. The ancient road joining Pamphilia with Pisidia starts in the villages of Döşemealtı, east of the Pass, and climbs North, connecting to the Kremna/Bucak settlement. This antique road, paved with stone blocks during the Roman era, was in use until recently, thus the villages established in the area were called Döşemealtı (under-pavement) villages. It is thought that the building ruins found at the beginning of the antique road are the remains of the depot, customs building and garrison of that period. The Turkoman yörüks who have settled in the area today weave the famous Döşemealtı carpets.

TERMESSOS

22 km northwest of Antalya, south of the Antalya-Korkuteli motorway on the slope of the 1650 m high Güllük/Solymn mountain, at an altitude of 1050 m, lie the remains of the antique city of Termessos. The area was declared “Güllük/Termessos National Park and Protection Area” due to the best examples of its regional flora, flowers and maquis vegetation, and unique fauna, primarily wild goat. In the Luwi/Etruscan language the word “Terme”, included in the root of the name, means “Pass/Mountain Pass” and “Assa” means “High Fort”, and as such, it was named Termeassa, meaning “Fort City on the Mountain Pass”. The area was also called “Termila”, that is, “Terme Pass” which then became “Dirmil” through a different phonetic pronunciation in today’s Turkish. The area is known to have been a human settlement since prehistoric times and was a part of the Etruscan/Luwian settlement unit around 3000 B.C. Due to the immigration of the Nordic tribes, that is, Turquoise/Isocates, which continued from around 3000 B.C. until around 700 B.C., urbanization began in the small Luwian settlement units in Anatolia and they came on the historical scene. One of the foremost cities established on the Pisidian-Lycian-Pamphilian border by the Termil clan is Termeassa. Termessos, which started to urbanize and flourish after the 6th century B.C., opened onto the sea by joining Phaselis, which was another coastal Lycian city, located to the South of Mount Solym. Excavation research carried out in the area revealed canals carved in rocks running southwards from the hillsides of mount Solym towards the city of Phaselis. Through these canals, the wine and olive oil produced in the area were poured to Phaselis on the coast where jugs were filled and shipped to other countries. In the 5th century B.C., although almost all of Anatolia was occupied by Persians, Termessos was not seized by the Persians. The Macedonian King Alexander who besieged Termessos in 337 B.C. met with the defense of the locals of Termessos and, seeing that he would not be able to capture it, turned towards the shores of Pamphilia. Termessos was the only city in Anatolia which Alexander could not capture during his trip to Asia. Termessos, which had established good relations with the Pergamonians who subsequently came to the area, developed these relations also with Rome which was the heir of the Kingdom of Pergamum, signing an agreement in 72 B.C. after which the city was enriched with various buildings and started flourishing. The city of Termessos, which fell in ruins and was destroyed as a result of the earthquakes which took place in the 5th and 9th centuries A.D. and could not be captured by any army whatsoever in its history, could not find any means for reconstruction and the city folk emigrated to the other cities of Pamphilia and Lycia by the seaside. Thus, the city remains have survived to this day. Tekeoğlu Turkomans who came to the area built a Caravanserai named Evdir Han at the Byzantine sacred site Eudokias situated in the valley in the east of the city. On the King’s Road leading to the antique Termessos remains there is firstly a main entrance gate with a Gymnasium Complex to the east of it. In the complex where, in addition to the teaching of philosophy and positive sciences, all kinds of physical sports activities and competitions were performed, it is understood that the most important lessons were war games and wrestling. Built leaning against the hillside, next to where the inner city walls face the Gymnasium square, Galleries can be seen, and it is understood that these used to have tiers of Stadion seats. Southeast from the front of the Gymnasium there are 26 tiers of seats and a theatre which is thought to have a seating capacity of 6000 people. There are three temples in front of the Odeon and it is understood that the one in the West is Zeus Solymeus, the small one in the middle is Artemis and the one in the East is the Great Artemis Temple. There are shops behind the columns. One of the most important tombs there is the house type tomb with lion’s head relief constructed in the Lycian style and a large number of Lycian type sarcophagi are visible.

KURŞUNLU WATERFALLS

SUPER ANTALYA PHOTOS

2007-05-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

ALANYA

Antalya Belek

Antalya Harbour

Konyaaltı Beach

Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı
Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı Antalya Belek Antalya Harbour ALANYA Alanya antalya belek yat limanı

HOTEL EIFFEL SEINE

2007-04-21T05:19:00.000-07:00

HOTEL EIFFEL SEINE

With its exceptional location on the banks of the Seine, only 5 minutes by foot from the Eiffel Tower, the Eiffel Seine Hotel offers a breathtaking view over the Seine and the "Colline de Passy". Artistic and genuine, an Art Nouveau style pervades the hotel from the lounge reception up to the 45 sophisticated and personalized decorated double or familial rooms. Each room has its very own unique decoration, visible in the geometric harmony of the wallpaper, tiling, bathroom fittings, mirrors, lights and wall lamps... the solid wood, purpose-built cupboards, bedheads, desks and occasional tables, inlaid with the famous Macintosh Rose.

The independently managed Eiffel Seine Hotel has opted for a theme unique in Paris and in France, in the purest form of Art Nouveau Style. Art Nouveau is an architectural and artistic movement of Austrian influence, dating back to the 1920s, which emerged immediately after the construction of the Eiffel Tower and which was the precursor to the Art Deco movement in the 1930s. Its most famous artist was Gustave Klimt, whose paintings light up the rooms and the corridors of the Eiffel Seine. This authentic, geometric, comfortable and elegant decor is visible in all public and private areas of the Hotel Eiffel Seine. With its combination of sophisticated materials, fabrics and paintings, true to the forms and patterns of the period, the Hotel Eiffel Seine is a place where it is possible to take full advantage of an atmosphere consummately representative of what Paris stood for at the beginning of the 20th century.

Standard Room, 2 persons
120 €
Club Room, 2 persons
135 €
Superior Room, 2 persons
165 €
Price per room and per night. VAT and processing fee included.

istanbul - French Street

2007-03-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

French Street

If New York has Chinatown and Little Italy, then Istanbul has "French Street" (Fransız Sokağı). "Rue Française", with tented buildings, street musicians, cafés, bars and art centers, opened in summer of 2004.

The street behind Galatasaray High School known as Cezayir (Algeria) Street was completely renovated from head to toe by a group lead by Mehmet Taşdiken within the scope of a two-year project. The buildings and sidewalks were improved and a special music system was established. Taşdiken had close contacts with the Municipality of Paris, so the stones of the street were arranged by Parisian architects, and 100-year-old coal-gas street lamps from the Municipality of Paris were installed.Mehmet Taşdiken says "the French have a very important legacy in Beyoğlu. Most of the establishments of Beyoğlu, such as the first cafés and first movie theaters, were established by the French in the 19th century and the buildings on the left of Cezayir Street bear the signature of French engineer-contractor Marius Michel, who lived in Istanbul between 1890 and 1910 and built the Karaköy and Eminönü docks."Fransız Sokağı has a covered area of 9,000 square meters and a capacity of 3000 people together with the open-air areas. The number of daily visitors is around 6.500. The heaters on the streets allow the open areas to be used even on cold days.Various establishments in two-three story buildings have turned Fransız Sokağı, formerly Cezayir Sokak or Hayriye Çıkmazı, into a 7-day-a-week live culture and entertainment center, with cafés, restaurants, street concerts and artists, and an art gallery.

TRAVEL GUIDE 1 : BLACKSEA / AYDER YAYLASI (RİZE)

2007-03-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL GUIDE 1 : BLACKSEA / AYDER YAYLASI (RİZE)

RIZEThe province of Rize is located inside the Eastern Black Sea Region is the province which displays most of the characteristics of the Region. The province is separated from other regions of Anatolia not only with its geographic structure, but also with its cultural structure. The province of Rize is a very special tourism city with its steep sloped valleys, mountains which you can climb to the peaks, glacier lakes, emerald green plateaus, historical arched bridges and castles and exuberant flowing creeks.

Ayder is toward Artvin from Rize. You need to go on after Cayeli (Çayeli) and turn South following Storm Valley (Fırtına Vadisi). Fırtına Vadisi (Storm Valley) is a national park and one of two hundreds ecological areas on the world, that must be protected.Ayder high plateau (Ayder yaylası) which is 1358 meters high, is one of the most famous plateaues of Blacksea (Karadeniz). There are hotels and boardinghouses about 25.

Ayder cures!fresh air, clean spring waters, spas are just several things “must see”.for example, it’s said, ayder’s fresh air helps asthma .. besides, Ayder Thermal Spring (Ayder Kaplıcası) is among the most important thermal springs of the country. That’s way the thermal spring is full of tourists everytime.As to Black Sea Technical University’s explorations (Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi), Thermal Spring water helps rheumatic joint diseases, nevre - digestive – circulation system diseases, urinary ducts and genital diseases.. also cures dermatologic diseases such as eczema, mother-of-pearl, the acnes common in adolescence..

Why visit Ayder?For the scenery, the invigorating mountain air, the hiking and trekking possibilities, and for a dip in the thermal baths. Hot springs burst from the earth, run into bathing pools, then slip through the forests, cooling, on their way to the Black Sea (Karadeniz).With your own car, you can visit Ayder on a day-trip from Trabzon. Without your own car, take a bus or minibus east from Trabzon to the seacoast town of Pazar (or, if you can find one, to Camlihemsin [Çamlıhemşin], the town up the mountainside from Pazar on the way to Ayder.) One bus makes the entire run from Trabzon to Ayder each afternoon in summer.On weekends (especially Sunday) in summer, crowds of local tourists stream up the mountainside to enjoy the fresh air and cool breeze. At other times, you may have to hitch a ride or take a taxi to cover the 19 km (12 miles) between Camlihemsin(Çamlıhemşin) and Ayder.

With your own car, you can visit Ayder on a day-trip from Trabzon.Without your own car, take a bus or minibus east from Trabzon to the seacoast town of Pazar (or, if you can find one, to Camlihemsin ( Çamlıhemşin ), the town up the mountainside from Pazar on the way to Ayder.) One bus makes the entire run from Trabzon to Ayder each afternoon in summer.Climate: In Rize, summer seasons are cool and winter seasons are mild while all seasons are precipitant.

General Information On Antalya !

2007-03-14T03:26:00.004-07:00

General Information On Antalya !

The Taurus mountain range of southern Anatolia runs parallel to the Mediterranean in an east-west direction, resulting in the formation of narrow coastal plains, which are surrounded by mountains on three sides and open to the south sea. On some parts of the coast, where the mountains plunge sharply into the sea, small natural bays and peninsulas are formed. Antalya is situated on a plain which consists of two flat areas formed of falez rock at a height of 35 m, where the mountains recede from the shore. On the first rocky plain on the coast is the town centre and on the plain behind it, named Kepezüstü, small settlement units have been established. The coast is 530 km in length and borders with Eşen in the west and Kaledran creek in the east. The province has an area of 20,820 km2. The soil of the plain is made up of conglomerate, alluvium and travertine falez rocks. The Taurus mountains, formed of limestone and serpentine lands, with karst surface formations, have many deep valleys, caves, crevices and faults. In the marshy areas at a height of 300 m from the coast scrub trees, known as maquis, are found. These include oleander, wild strawberries, sandalwood, strawberry trees, myrtle, chinaberry trees, bay, chaste trees, carob trees, broom and spurge. Thyme, sage, saffron, burdock, asphodel, asparagus, blackberry, chrysanthemum and, sparsely, oak, Oriental plane, wild pear, olive and linden trees are also found. 300 metres further on in, the red pine and oak forests, and marshes with eucalyptus trees can be seen. 1200 m further on the forests with cedar, fir trees, Scotch pine, juniper and beech begin. As the alluvial soil on the plains is suitable for agriculture, vegetables, fruit and flowers are grown in greenhouses for export. Open orange, mandarin, lemon and grapefruit gardens can be seen in the vicinity, in the warm Mediterranean winds. On the east of the Antalya plain, banana and avocado are grown. Cotton is sown as an industrial plant and cotton production, along with cotton mills and textile factories, holds great potential for Turkey. Apples, pears, quince, grapes and sesame are grown on the mountainous plateaus. The regional fauna is very good for hunting tours. In Düzlerçamı on the Taurus mountains, covering an area of 10,000 hectares, fallow deer, wild goat and roe deer hunting is permitted on a controlled basis. Wolves, foxes, brown bears, martens, wild boar, wild cats and jackals are the wild species that are often found. The Taurus Leopard was known to exist until recently. Partridge, quail, turtle dove, wild pigeon, blackbird, woodcock, francolin and wild duck can be regarded as game birds. The region is well-known for its grida fish; in addition to this, sea bream, horse mackerel, black bream, gilt-head, grey mullet, gurnard, whiting, bonito, striped red mullet, needlefish, large bonito, red gurnard and red mullet are among the major sea fish, other sea produce includes hermit crab, lobster, shrimp, cuttle-fish and mussel. In addition, cage fishing is carried out in the sea at six points on the coast where sea-bass and grey mullet are bred. Fresh water line fishing is carried out in the Eşen, Dim, Köprüçay, Manavgat, Akçay and Alara rivers. The fish restaurants established within water in the Dim Creek are particularly famous. The main fresh water fish are fresh water chub, fresh water perch, carp, mirror-carp, eel, bleak and tench. There are numerous trout production farms and restaurants in those parts of the Taurus Mountains close to water and river beds. The province of Antalya is located between the north latitudes of 36,07° - 37,29° and east longitudes of 29,20° - 32,35°. Since the area is closed to the cold northerly winds, it is characterized by the typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and moderately warm and rainy winters. In the area with sunny weather for 10 months a year the temperature climbs up to 45°C in July and August. The sea breeze and the northeasterly winds blowing from inland relieve the area under this temperature.

Months
Average temperature
Seawater temperature
January
16,5
17,6
February
16,6
17
March
18
16,5
April
20,5
18,5
May
24
20,5
June
29
24,5
July
32
28,5
August
33
29,5
September
30
27,5
October
27
25
November
22
21
December
18
18