The Matryoshka of Antalya
Layers of History
Just like the Russian toy Matryoshka, the district of Antalya known as Kaleiçi is a unique blend of various elements. It’s a fortress, a port, a district, streets, gardens, a house, a bazaar, a hotel, a motel, a boardinghouse, a bar, a restaurant, and a cafe all nested within each other.
Historical Roots
The ancient name of the broader Antalya region is Pamphylia, meaning “the country of all tribes.” With its favorable features like the sea, fertile lands, mountains, forests, and rivers, Pamphylia has been a melting pot for various tribes. The city of Kaleiçi, looking out over the Mediterranean from the cliffs, has a history dating back two thousand years. Originally named Attaleia, it underwent several transformations – Stelai, Stalaya, Adalya – before becoming Antalya Transformations in Laleli’s Hotels A New Era, the tourism brand of the young Turkish Republic.
Tourism Hub
Antalya and its surroundings alone attract five million out of the 13 million tourists visiting Turkey. This makes contemporary Antalya a global city, with Kaleiçi as its historical heart. Kaleiçi unfolds like a historical Matryoshka, revealing its streets Customized Turkey Tours, houses, bazaar, fortress, Turkish bath, and historical residences.
Crossroads of Civilizations
Established by the people of Pergamum during the Hellenistic era, the city life in Kaleiçi continued through the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Genoese, Spanish, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. Each civilization left its mark on Kaleiçi. Evliya Çelebi, the famous traveler, describes the city’s history in his book “Seyahatname” (the travel book), recounting how Sultan Alaaddin seized it from the Genoese, Orhan Gazi reclaimed it, Spanish armies occupied it briefly, and finally, Murat Hudavendigar conquered it, making Teke Sanjak the capital.
