ALANYA FORTRESS

The monumental fortress of Alanya is truly the sturdiest and the most splendid of all fortresses in Anatolia today. It may be assumed that the whole fortress was built by Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat between 1226-1232.According to the inscription on it, the octagonal structure known today as the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) was the first structure built by the Seljuk's in Alanya and it is the key point of the fortress. The defense line that starts here, in accordance with the topography of the land ascends in a zigzagging manner although not always regularly.

KIZKULESİ

The tower was named after Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat when it was first built, but later it was renamed the red tower due to the red bricks used in the construction. Many architectural pieces dating back to the ancient times were used in its construction. Especially the ancient column shafts used horizontally in the construction of the facade give the tower an unusual appearance.
 

DAMLATAŞ

Located at the western foot of the Fortress of Alanya, the Damlataş Cave is one of those rare caves in Anatolia which is under management, it appeals to Turkish as well as foreign tourists since the air in the cave is beneficial to asthmatics, and it is easily accessible from the center of the city. It was discovered in 1948 quite by accident, it formed as semi-crystallized limestone from the Permian period of the Paleozoic Age was shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It is approximately 100 meters from the sea and in relation to below the entrance. There are many stalactites, stalagmites and columns decorating everywhere in the halls. Following the rumors that asthmatics benefited from breathing the air in the cave, scientists analyzed a sample of the air to verify the fact that the air was indeed beneficial to patients suffering from non-allergic asthma. They found that the air in the cave contains 10to 12 times more carbon dioxide than normal air and has 90 to 100 % humidity. Temperature in the cave is 22 C. Both the radioactivity and ionization in the cave may contribute to the benefits derived from breathing the air in the cave.

ALARAHAN

It is an unusual Seljuk monument since it also served a religious function as a place where certain dervishes lived in seclusion. The rectangular structure measures 38 by 50 meters and except for its esteem facade, it is constructed of cut stones. Various signs identifying the master stonecutters are seen on these cut stones. Rectangular and triangular pillars support the three facades of the structure. The plain portal with a low arch, in the middle of the northern facade, is the entrance to he hostel. Above the entrance there is an inscription of six lines in Arabic. Relieves of two schematic lion heads decorate the inscription.