Some History
NATURAL AREAS » SiDE
Heading South 75 km. from Antalya lies Alanya. From the
main road is a nice avenue winding through hotels and houses for
about 3 km which will lead you to Side. This is the furthest city
in the east part of the historical area of Pamphylia. Situated on
a peninsula about 1000 m long and 400 m. wide, it played an
important role as a commercial port. Side used to be one of the
most important trade centres in the antiquity and now it is one of
the most popular holiday resort towns in Turkey.
According to Strabon the ancient geographer, Side was first
established in the 7 th century B.C. as a trade colony of the
Aegean city Kyme, near Yzmir. Merchants took up the local
language, and Side took the name "Side", meaning pomegranate, a
fruit symbolizing abundance and fertility.
Like the other Pamphylian cities, Side
was ruled by Lybia(?) in the sixth cent. B.C. and Persia after 547
B.C. The coins minted in there prove that Side had at least an
internal independence.
Alexander the Great conquered Side in the first year of the great
campaign on Asia in 334 B.C., and was introduced the city to
Hellenistic culture. After his death the empire was shared by
generals. The Southern Turkey, including Side changed hands quite
often, especially between the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt ( 3rd
century B.C.) and the Seleucid dynasty of Syria ( 2nd century
B.C.) after the apameia peace agreement between the Romans and the
defeated Syrian kingdom. Pergama could not gain complete control
over Side. King Attalos of Pergama founded a new city, Attaleia (Antalya)
as a commercial rival to Side and others on the Southern coast. At
the turn of century Side was a slave-trade centre in the hands of
Pirates. Only the Romans were able to stop piracy on the eastern
Mediterranean and allow the southern Anatolian cities in Cilicia,
Pamphylia and Lycia to prosper again in peace and safety in 78
B.C.
Pamphylia was added to the province of Galatia by emperor Augustus
in 25 B.C. when all the provinces in the Roman empire were
re-organised. Side had a second birth with abundant wealth until
the 3rd century A.D. as a Pamphylian city, placed sometimes in
Galatia, and at other time in Lycia. Especially its active role in
the slave trade enabled this semi-independent city to acquire
wealth and most of the structures in ruins seen today were built
during this period of time. Side felt it necessary to repaire the
defensive walls in the second half of the 3rd century A.D because
of successive attacks by the highlanders in the north.
Furthermore, they built an inner wall right through the city in
the 4th cent A.D.. Unfortunately, these precautions were not
enough to secure Side’s great days of wealth, and Side started to
decline.
SiDE IN MYTHOLOGY
One day, according to Anatolion mythology, the god Taurus
took her youngest daughter Side, who had been the goddes of nature
and abundance, to the valley of the River Manauwa (Manavgat). This
was a place for picking flowers to make wreaths with the Nymphs
(water-fairies). While picking these flowers and dancing with the
Nymphs, Side suddenly sees a tree with thin branches having shiny
leaves and colourful flowers. She breaks off a branch, to take it
to her little daugther. As she breaks the branch it starts to
bleed. Side realizes that the tree is not real and that it is a
Nymph who had escaped from some wicked human beings and taken the
shape of a tree. She is so sorry and so scared that she wants to
go away, but she can't. She is stuck and she feels her feet become
buried in the ground. Her body then takes the form of a tree. The
Nymphs are sad and start crying. The fresh roots of Side are said
to be watered with the tears of these Nymphs. Side said that it
was her fault and asked the Nymphs to take a message to her little
daugher The message is as follows; From now on I'll be the symbol
of nature, life and abundance with my blood-red rich fruit, I ask
you to take my daughter here from time to time, to play in my
shade. And warn her not to pick flowers and never damage trees on
earth; because any of those trees could be a Goddess. This is why
the peninsula of Side full of pomegranate trees.
THE CITY WALLS
The walls of Antique Side surround the city all around the
peninsula. The length of the inner walls is about 6 km. The width
of the walls on the sea-side is nearly 3 meters at some points.
The height reaches 10 m. On the walls there are 13 semi-circular
and rectangular towers for watching and defence.
THE GREAT GATE OF THE CITY
The main entrance, The GREAT GATE, was built in the
North-East. The oldest entrance of the Antique City, now in ruins,
had been restored many times. The last form of the Gate was given
in Roman times. It was built as two storeys on an arched base. To
defend the gate were two towers on each side where the soldiers
were on guard. These towers are about 10m high.
THE EASTERN GATE
The secont Great Gate of the City was built to the East of the
city. The Gate was buried in sand for many years, and has recently
been cleaned up and is being exhibited. It had been built with
conglomerate types of block-stones. You can walk to the Square of
Protocol passing two circle-arched corridors behind the door on
which there are two rectangular watch and defence towers. The base
of The Square which is 50m wide had been decorated with mosaics
during Byzantium times.
WATER ARCHES
In Antique times the water needed in Side was brought from the
river Manavgat by means of water-arches (aqueducts) which were
built between the village Sevinç of today and Side. The length of
the waterway is 30 km and the height reachs 25m at some points.
Some parts of the waterway was carved into rocks.
THE GRAND MONUMENTAL FOUNTAIN
The Grand Monumental Fountain was built near the
Castellum Aqua, which could be seen at the end of the waterway on
the arches that brought water to the city from the River Manavgat.
It stands opposite the Great Entrance Gate in the northwest of the
city. The fountain seems to have two storeys today; but it is
supposed to have been built in three storeys with the dimensions 5
m height and 35 m width.
KOLONNEL STREET
The street that starts at the door of Protocol, was built in
between the Great Entrance Gate and takes you to the Square of
Agora, south, and is 250 m long with columns on both sides. It was
given the name "Kolonnel Street".
HOUSES
The ruins of the Antique Houses on both sides of Kolonnel Street,
were mainly built as diateas (living-rooms), lined-up around the
big inner hall named Atrium. There was usually a fountain in the
middle of the inner hall, and floors of the rooms were decorated
with mosaics.
AGORA
The Big Agora of the city takes place in front of the
theatre which was built at the end of Kolonnel Street. It measures
92x92 m (outer) and 65x65 m (inner). The entrance to the Agora is
supposedly through the monumental gate in the west. The Agora is
surrounded by granite columns and was called Portiko. You can
reach the Portiko, which is 4 m wide, walking up two flights of
stairs. There are decorated marble blocks on 100 chorinthiand and
ionic columns. In the middle of the Agora you notice the ruins of
a temple (as could be found in all Antique Cities) with 12 columns
surrounding it. It had belonged to the goddess of luck and
commerce, Fortuna. People from different social classes could have
discussions in the Agoras and inform the crowds. The Agora in Side
was connected to the stage building of the theatre by means of a
passage and both places were used for slave trading, in B.C 100.
THE MONUMENTAL LIBRARY AND THE
STATE AGORA
You can reach the square State Agora after a short walk
of about 50 meters along a stony road in the East direction from
the Commercial Agora. The Portika of the Agora is surrounded by
double columns on all sides and was used for offical purposes and
protocols. Around it there were official buildings.
THE PALACE OF THE BISHOP AND ITS
BASILICA
The Palace and Basilica seen in the complex of a building takes
place near by the Eastern Gate. In the middle of the courtyard
between the Palace and the Basilica there is the martyrion and you
can enter the complex of from the western side. The rooms of the
complex have many sections and they have arches made of bricks. In
the middle of the complex there is a square area with three
sections for sitting. The Schabel of the Bishop can still be seen
in front of the platform, and the obsis has the characteristics of
Byzantian construction. The Great Basilica of the Bishop in the
Eastern part of the complex was probably built in A.D. 600 and had
a trancept plan. The obsis of the Basilica in the Eastern
direction has a spherical plan inside and a triangular one on the
outside.
THE FOUNTAIN OF VESPASIANUS
The front side of the one-arched (15 m high and 7 m wide)
fountain was covered with marble. It was situated between the
museum present today and the Western end of the Agora near the
Theatre. This fountain with one tap is very attractive with its
marble frescos.
THE FOUNTAIN WITH THREE POOLS
Opposite the Fountain of Vespasianus stands the Fountain with
three Pools on one side of the Agora Bath facing the street with
coloumns. The fountain was probably built in 300 A.D. In front of
the fountain there were corinthian columns, but today you can only
see the three pools covered with marble.
THEATRE
Theatres were important places for the activities of groups of
people in Antique times. Struggles with nature were also
significant events in those days. People started showing their
feelings towards the events they faced and the productions
resulting from their struggle with the nature were symbolized in
festivals. At the very beginning, human-beings disclosed their
feelings by celebrating such events by singing and dancing. The
first dramas came out of those celebrations. Carving rows of seats
in slopes in Antique Cities and making circular areas in the
middle of 500 B.C. were the first steps taken in the architecture
of Theatres. Highly tolerated actors could even make fun of the
gods and the Emperors in their plays. The players could also start
a discussion with the audiences after the dramas in which they
criticise things related to their country. When the plays were
approved of, a great applause could be heard and when they
disapproved, the audiences would protest by hitting the stone of
the marble seats with their sandals. In the two epigraphs which
were discovered in excavations it was written that Modesta, who
was one of the richest men of Side, had financed fights between
Gladiators. The two epigraphs are being displayed in the Museum of
Side. During the raids of Arabs in the 8th century the theatre was
burned down and destroyed. Later, the building of the stage
collapsed at the orchestra pit due to a earthquake. The
excavations and explorations in the theatre are still in proggress.
THE TEMPLE OF MEN
In the north of the Great Harbour Bath there is the Temple of Men.
The temple was built in the name of the anatolian moon god, Men,
and it had a semi-circular podium. Supposedly, the temple was
built in 500 B.C. and was restored twice; first in the times of
Alexander the Great and later in the Byzantian period.
THE TEMPLE OF BACUS
The ruins of the Temple of Bacus today was situated in the North
end of The Square just in front of the Entrance of the theatre of
Side. Only the stairs and the marble podium of the temple remain
today.The temple was constructed in the name of the god of wine
and entertainment, Bacus. In front of the entrance there were four
Corinthian columns made of red granite. And you can walk up to the
front area going up 7 marble stairs with five half columns on each
side. The plan was a Pouseudoperipteros one. It was discovered
that the temple was built near a small theatre before the
construction of the great theater of Side in 300 B.C.
THE GREAT HARBOUR BATH
The Bath complex with four big halls parallel to each other and
three rooms built next to them was constructed to the South of
Side theatre, just behind the harbour walls. The Bath, which was
built in A.D. 300 and was restored several times´was rectangular.
In later years two gyms. were added to the complex. You can enter
the bath trough the changing-room in the north named Apoditerum.
THE TEMPLE OF APOLLON
The two temples which were built next to each other within a
Peripteros plan were situated in the Southern end of the peninsula
Side. The one in the East belonged to Apollo and the one in the
west to Athena. During the period of Paxromana, the Goddess of
Anatolia, Kybele and the moon god, Men, were purified and
sanctified with the head gods of Side, Apollo and Athena. This was
why the people of Side built those two splendid temples. The
temple which was built for the god Apollo, who had been sanctified
as the god of light, beauty and art had a rectangular plan with
the dimensions of 17x30 m. On top of it there are corinthian
columns (8,90 m. high and in rows 6 by11). The columns around the
temple had bases with holes in the middle: showing us that there
were pieces of iron underneath on which the columns were situated.
THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA
This temple was built next to the temple of Apollo in the form of
a peripheros plan with the dimensions 20x35 m. It is a little
bigger than the Temple of Apollo and has columns similar to it.
The block on the columns attracts attention with its decorative
reliefs.
THE HARBOUR OF SIDE
The southern location of the harbour on the peninsula was very
important for Side which was a maritine business center. The
harbour was surrounded by a breakwater made of conglpmerat stones.
THE HARBOUR BATH
During the period of Paxromana, with the growth of trade, Bath was
built behind The Harbour in order to cover the need.
THE SIDE MUSEUM
With few restorations in the recent years the Side museum was
founded on the complex of the Bath which was built in the period
of Romans. You enter the museum through the door on the East side.
Then you go into the stony courtyard which is known as the second
tepidorium of the Bath. When crossing the courtyard you enter a
big garden. Around the courtyard and in the garden you can see
tombs, columns, busts, inscriptions, statues, pedestals and
reliefs which were excavated from the city Antique Side. The
garden of the museum is actually the courtyard, and is the Gym.
The most important monument in the marble floored courtyard is the
series of frieses which have the mythological tales of Poseidon,
the god of seas on the Northern Wall. In these stories the
relationship of the gods and goddesses with nature is described.
In the passages between the sections of the Bath there are
coloured fences.
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selection
of Excursions we can recommend
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Antalya,
Ca. 60km west of Side you find Antalya, one of
Turkeys most beautiful cities which is a major tourist
centre. The historical centre of the city, known as Kaleici,
is now a major tourist attraction. The original Roman
harbour is considered to be one of the loveliest marinas in
Turkey and is a great place to sit and enjoy a lunch time
beer. The old city walls, lit up at night, give an
atmosphere of timelessness and serenity and must not be
missed. Behind the city loom the Taurus mountains and
towards the East rise a dramatic expanse of cliffs with
waterfalls tumbling down to the sea. Antalya has a great
variety of restaurants, bars and a good selection of
furniture and home leisure shops. Antalya is the main
international airport in Southern Turkey.
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Aspendos,
30km east of Side is Aspendos, an amphitheatre that
rivals any other single construction on the Turkish coast.
Built in the 2nd century and seating 15000 people, the theatre
is still only 95% complete. The theatre has amazing acoustics
and during the summer months concerts are held here -
listening to an opera or a musical in such an ancient setting
is an evening not to be missed. |
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Perge,
Perge is situated 18km from Antalya and was
originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C. St. Paul
preached his first sermons here and it is still an important
historical city of ancient Pamphylia. Most of today's Perge
belongs to the Roman Period, and anyone interested in history
will love to explore the long colonnaded street, once paved
with marble and lined with shops, as well as the agora, the
stadium, the public baths and the amphitheatre. Try to avoid
this tour in the middle of the day in peak summer due to the
heat. |
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Taurus
Mountains and white water rafting,
Only a 30 minute drive from Side, towards Beskonak,
you reach the spectacular scenery of the Taurus Mountains. You
must see the great Köprülü Canyon and join in an experience
never to be forgotten - rafting down the white rapids through
the astoundingly beautiful canyon. Truly a day out for the
adventurous and an experience you will never forget. |
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Termessos,
The plateau behind Antalya is as studded with the
remains of old cities as are the shores of the Mediterranean.
One of the most remarkable of these inland sites is Termessos,
high in the mountains above Antalya with even higher peaks
around it and with a distant view of the coastline. The
defences of the city so daunted Alexander the Great in 333BC
that he passed it by, it is not hard to understand why, with
the steep winding roads on the approach to the city. At its'
peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC, Termessos boasted as
many as 150,000 inhabitants and many of the buildings date
back to this time. Of all the ruins, the most impressive by
far is the theatre which is hewn out of the rock and offers
spectacular views as far as Antalya. |
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Manavgat Waterfalls and river boat tours,
Just a 10 minute drive from Side is the town of
Manavgat where you can practise your haggling skills to pick
up some great bargains in the markets on Mondays and
Thursdays. Also from here you can take boat trips along the
emerald green waters of the Manavgat river to the stunning
Manavgat waterfalls or to the sea. Cruising along the river,
under the blue skies, with views over the wide open
countryside, and tops of the mountains....a day out not to be
missed.
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Aquapark,
Only 1 hour from Side is one of the largest Aquaparks
in the area. This is a great day out for the whole family with
a vast choice of pools and water slides to discover and enjoy.
To make the day even more memorable, see the dolphin and
sealion show, and why not take the opportunity to swim with
the dolphins. |
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Selukia and the Oymapinar Dam,
Follow the road inland from Manavgat and you come to
the steep winding road up to the ruins of the ancient city of
Seleukia. Set high up on the top of a hill, with spectacular
views over the coast. Spend half a day exploring the footsteps
of your ancestors.
After Seleukia, follow the road to visit
the hydro-electric dam that produces the electricity for the
region. The 2nd largest dam in Turkey took 20 years to build
and 85 men died during the construction. From its top, there
are amazing views of the lake on one side and the valley on
the other. These two sites are off the normal tourist trail
but are well worth a visit for a memorable day out.
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