Phaselis Antique
Ancient city ruins
The ancient city of Phaselis is one of the interesting places in the vicinity of Kemer, recommended for visiting. What's more, it's very easy to do. Get into the minibus (dolmush) and tell the driver: Phaselis Antik, then he will definitely call you at the place you need. The fare from Tekirova costs 3.5 lira one way. Entrance ticket - 10 lira. The open-air museum is open to the public from 9:00 to 19:00. The rest of the time - admission is free, because. The box office is only open during these hours. I arrived at 10:00 and was the only visitor! To be honest, 10 lira is not a pity. Let them go to support the museum. In addition, the people who work there tirelessly continue to please me and surprise me with their responsiveness and goodwill. The cashier girl, having sold the ticket, said: “1 km walk from the barrier to the ruins. Have a nice trip! ”, and I went to myself. The weather whispers: the sun is shining, the birds are singing! I didn’t go even 100 m, when a car caught up with me, driven by the same cashier girl. "Get in, I'll give you a ride! " And now we are merrily rushing with the breeze! On the way, she is interested in:
- Are you all alone?
- One, I say, no problem! And here is the question in the forehead:
- And who will photograph you?
Well, I'm not at a loss and answer:
- Probably you!
She laughed and promised to send a worker.
-Where, I say, will he look for me?
- Don't worry, it will find you!
She winked and left. For about 10 minutes I wandered alone, then a museum employee appeared and kindly agreed to accompany me, take pictures and, in general, be, as he put it, at my full disposal. Lucky, so lucky!
At the same time, he told a lot of interesting things about the history of the city. Built in the 7th century BC by colonists from the island of Rhodes, led by Lakaios, on a small peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, 16 kilometers from the modern city of Kemer. Another way to Phaselis is by sea from Kemer. The name of the city is translated into Russian as Sea City. The city had an important geographical position and originally had three harbors, the middle of which was a lake, which today has turned into a swamp. The purpose of the city is to send timber from the Taurus Mountains to the cities of the Mediterranean. The city was dominated by turns: in the 5th century BC - the Persians, in the 4th century AD - the head of the Kariya region, Mavsol and the ruler of the neighboring city of Limira Pericles. In 333 BC. the city welcomed Alexander the Great, presenting him with a golden crown. The city was then famous for its olive oil and roses. After Alexander the Great, the city changed hands several times, being plundered by pirates, and in 42 BC. came under the dominion of Rome. Since that time, the city began to flourish, gold coins were minted. From time to time the city suffered from epidemics brought by Rhodian sailors. After the invasion of the Arabs in the 7th century, a new period of prosperity begins in the history of the city. In 1158, after the siege of the Seljuks, a series of earthquakes, as well as the development of trade activity in the ports of Antalya and Alanya, Phaselis lost its significance and was actually abandoned by its inhabitants. Most of the surviving, we must pay tribute, in excellent condition, the ruins belong to the Roman and Byzantine period.
On the mountain, which is crowned by the acropolis, there is an amphitheater for 3000 people. The fortress walls of the city were built in the 3rd century BC, near the northern harbor you can find an ancient cemetery-necropolis, the architectural dominant is still the surviving aqueduct that stands above the parking lot, the ruins of a small basilica from the Byzantine period, city baths in the area of the city square . In two necropolises of the city there are tombs with lids depicting figures of Eros and lions. On the eastern slope of the necropolis, the ruins of two temples are visible - the temple of Pallas Athena and the temple of the god of trade Hermes. Valuable things found during excavations can be found in the Antalya Ethnographic Museum, but most of the artifacts still lie underground, waiting for the continuation of excavations. According to one of the legends, the golden sarcophagus of Alexander the Great with his ashes is kept in Phaselis.
At the end of the walk, I was invited to a cafe located near the parking lot and the aqueduct. Almost all the employees of the museum were already there. They gave us tea, coffee and ice cream. And finally they took me wherever I wanted. And I wished that day to the market in Tekirova, because it was just Saturday, Tekirova's market day. There I bought herbs, spices, teas, silver jewelry, some textiles, raisins, nuts, rose petal jam, amazing quality olive oil, souvenirs and I still don’t remember what, but I know for sure - something very necessary! )))
On the way to the ancient city
On the way to the ancient city
On the way to the ancient city
On the way to the ancient city
On the way to the ancient city
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins, large hammam
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Agora is a market square.
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Ancient city ruins
Amphitheater
Ancient city ruins
One of the harbors of Phaselis
One of the harbors of Phaselis
One of the harbors of Phaselis
One of the harbors of Phaselis
One of the harbors of Phaselis
Roman aqueduct
Remains of the basilica
