Termessos: an ancient city in an enchanting park
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Islamic Tourism A half day trip to Antalya’s ancient city of Termessos in the Gulluk Dagi National Park combines a wander through history with an enchanting nature walk through a beautiful forest.
The city is on a high plateau 1,050 meters on the west side of Gulluk Mountain. The ruins are reasonably well preserved and it is possible to recognise the city walls, the theatre which accommodated 5,000 visitors, cisterns, the gymnasium, the Temple of Zeus, the market, the Temple of Artemis and numerous tombs.
The scenic walk through the mountains to the city takes about a hour on a gently slopping stone path. The extra climb to the fire watch tower is worth it for the spectacular mountain views of the the surrounding hills and Antalya. The two guards at the watch tower are happy to offer freshly brewed tea but it advisable to bring your own drinks as they are not always on duty.
Arrinos, a writer in ancient times, described Termessos as :â€ÂThe settlement which is located in a very high place and is surrounded by sharp precipices. The road through the mountain pass is difficult. Solym Mountain, which is just as difficult, is just opposite. They form a kind of pass and only a few soldiers are needed to block the entrance. The location of the city enabled it to develop securely.â€Â
Today a tar sealed mountain road provides easy access for visitors who are greeted with a museum and restaurant serving delicious home-made cakes at the entrance to the national park. On display is an admirable selection of black and white photos of Termessos and a variety of stuffed animals which visitors may be lucky enough to see in the wild: antelopes, wolves, foxes, a enchanting cat with pointed ears known as black hair, snakes and birds. The restaurant shop also has a wide selection of maps of Turkey and Antalya along with a modest selection of souvenirs.
According to the manager 12,000 tourists, mostly Europeans, visited Termessos during the summer season. There were few Arab visitors who prefer the sites of Istanbul and Bursa.
Like all of Antalya’s ancient cities, Termessos has its own tales to tell including the story of Alketas, the victim of the betrayal of old men. Fighting against Antigonos, Alketas was defeated and took refuge behind his friends from Pisidia, in Termessos. Antigonos besieged the city. The young warriors from Termessos did not surrender the defeated commander. Falling into the trap of the old men, they put the elderly in the care of Alketas and left the city to fight against Antigonos, waiting before the gates of the city. Perceiving the trap, Alketas committed suicide and the old men surrendered his body to Antigonos.
For guided tours of Termessos and Antalya’s ancient and Islamic sites contact expert guides Berry Vos Kose and Kemal Ozkilic local agents for IAH Ltd a British company specialising in holidays to Turkey and North Cyprus at www.flightholiday.co.uk |
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Termessos: an ancient city in an enchanting park
A half day trip to Antalya’s ancient city of Termessos in the Gulluk Dagi National Park combines a wander through history with an enchanting nature walk through a beautiful forest.
(30/12/2004)
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