Description of the attraction
The city of Antalya was founded by the king of Pergamum Attalus. After the last king of Pergamon died, the city passed to Rome. Antalya became a thriving port and was securely surrounded by fortified walls built of stone. The walls had several gates that were tightly closed and sealed during an attack by invaders or pirates.
The only gates have survived to this day - Hadrian's Gate. For a long time, the gates were protected by the city wall and they were practically not used, which is probably why the building has survived to our time. They look like a monumental triple arched portal, very reminiscent of a Roman triumphal arch. It is because of the three arches that the gate is also called Uch Kapilar - "three gates". The construction of the gate took place in 130 AD. before the Emperor Hadrian visited Analia.
The front and back gates are decorated with decorative marble columns with beautiful capitals, the arches have a coffered ceiling. The gates were originally two-story. It is likely that statues of Emperor Hadrian and members of his family once adorned the top of the columns, but they have not survived to this day.
The stone sidewalk under the central arch is riddled with deep grooves left by the wheels of a huge number of carts that have been passing through here for many millennia. Therefore, it is better to pass the gate through the right or left arch, so as not to accidentally tuck the ankle.
On both sides of the gate, there are massive battlement towers built of stone. On the left is the South Tower (Tower of St. Julia), which was built during the Roman period, as evidenced by the carvings that cover the gate. The north tower was built during the reign of the Seljuk Turks at the direction of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat the First (1219-1938). The proof of this is the memorial plaque, which is installed in the North Tower. The inscription on the board is made in Turkish using the Arabic alphabet.
Currently, Hadrian's gate has not lost its purpose, they lead to Old Antalya. A little to the east of the gate there is a cozy, shady park where locals like to relax. All around the gate, waiters serve delicious Turkish tea.
