Tag: Kaleici

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, th