The large popular resort center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory which juts out into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches.
A 13th century Seljuk fortress-one of the most magnificent sights on the coast-crowns the headland. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of the well- preserved, double walled citadel. Within the outer walls are ruins of mosques, a caravanserai and a covered bazaar; in the inner walls are a ruined cistern and a Byzantine church.
Although Alanya's history dates back to Roman times, it rose to prominence under the Seljuks, when in 1220, Alaeddin Keykubat made it his winter residence and naval base. The surviving buildings reflect the importance of the city in Seljuk times. Besides the impressive citadel tourists should explore the unique dockyards and the octagonal Kizil Kule (Red Tower).
There are magnificent monuments in the citadel of Alanya, which is the nominee for Unesco Cultural Heritage of the world. Along with the monuments such as the walls, Kızılkule, the dockyard and the gun house, old houses of Alanya inhabited after having been restored are also protected and they are worth visiting. In some of the houses weaving is continued with old looms and meal is served in their gardens.
If you look carefully at the citadel, a heritage from the medieval times, while visiting, you will notice some stone carvings dating back to the antiquity. Visiting the citadel of Alanya in details may take you a whole day. There are many caravanserais and fortresses to protect them, nearby since Alanya was a city on the route of the historical Silk Road.
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