There is no sufficient information about the area’s ancient times and Byzantium era. According to famous historian Heredot’s scripts, people migrated here after the Trojan War on about the year 1820 BC and the city hosted various tribes. In the 16th century’s first half (BC), Hittites reached the land of Alanya and killed approximately 600 people. Then they ruled over the cities, Pamphylia and Cilicia. Between 224 and 118 BC, even though the whole Cilicia was invaded by Great Antiocus, the city maintained its independency as conquering of the city was too hard.

Later on the 7. century AD, the city was even more important than ever that castles had been built as a protection against Arabian raids. That’s why there are many castles and churches around Alanya, which date back to 6. and 7. centuries AD. The oldest known name of the city is Korakesium. Later on the Byzantium era, its name formed into Kalanoros.

I. Alaaddin Keykubad(1200-1237), one of the Anatolian Seljuk sultans, took over the control of Castle of Alanya by defeating Kyr Vart, a Christian tyran who lived in the castle, in 1221. The sultan married the daughter of Kyr Vart and then built a palace in the city, which he named after himself as Alaiye. Alanya, as well as Konya (the capital of the sultanate), was regarded as a capital and was used as a centre to pass the winter and so, there were many new constructions. The city was living its the most prosperous era under Alaaddin’s authority. Today, there are castles, dockyards and many other buildings that stand still as a heritage from that era.

After the fall of Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate in 1300, the city was ruled by a feudal community, Karamanoðullarý. Their capital was Konya as well. Karamanoðullarý sold Alanya to Egyptian Mameluk Sultanate in 1427 for a price of 5 thousand gold coins.
After all, with the rise of Ottomans, who provided political association, Alanya was conquered in 1471 by Gedik Ahmet Pasha who was a general serving to Fatih Sultan Mehmet.

With the era of Ottoman Empire, Alanya was first regarded as a part of Cyprus in 1571 but later had been sanjak of the province of Konya in 1864. When it later had been a sanjak of Antalya in 1868, Alanya, finally had been a county of Antalya in 1871. Atatürk named the city as Alanya when he visited it in 1935.

Alanya is located on 36°33′ northern latitude and 31.01° eastern meridian. It’s acreage measures 2.085 km². Alanya is located in Mediterranean region within the borders of a province called Antalya. On its east there is Alanya Bay that has the same name. There are Meditarrenean Sea on its south, Gazipasa on its east, Manavgat on its west and Toros Mt. on its north. Toros Mt. lie like a chain on its north with plains and mountains height of whose range from 500-600 m. to 2500-3000. Along the coast there are plains not too high. Climbing down to the plains from mountains is done through plateaus. Plateau begin to fade away as you get closer to the west on which there is Alanya Peninsula. To climb up to mountains from plateaus, it is necessary to pass steep slopes.

Climate and Vegetation Cover

There is a typical Meditarrenean climate over Alanya. It is hot and arid in summer, rainy and humid in winter. As the town is surrounded by high mountains on the west, north and east, winds that come from these directions can not reach Alanya and this makes the town a perfect place to grow a variety of plants that are also grow all around the world.

Other than the fruit growing that is done by the townsfolk, there is a fruit production station. The town is capable of producing 500.000 saplings a year thanks to a 1000 decare land since 1938 which is located among the borders of Aþaðý Oba Village on the towns east. Fruits are distributed all around the country starting from Alanya. Though it is not too much, the station is able to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables producted as well worldwide. Some of these are Japanese plum, pomegranate, coffee, walnut, pineapple, guava, avocado, jujube and decoration plants for gardens. Greenhouse cultivation is a common occupation in and around Alanya. Farmers in Alanya can grow and distribute such fruits and vegetables that they can not survive the harsh cold of winter. Banana is also an important source of income other than early grown fruits and vegetables. Alanya’s bananas are very popular and delicious. Citrus fruits, orange, lemon and grapefruit are well known around the country.

Toros Mt, with their heights exceeding 2 thousand meters, look like a coat sewed with snow. There are 20 rivers flowing from the top of mountains to Mediterranean Sea, carrying the melting snow as water in the fresh time of spring. Therefore, each valley here is a beautiful, pleasurable picnic area on its own with racetracks for rafting! Plateaus on the hills host a great greenfinch. There are ideal areas both for Jeep safari and trekking. Even just beyond the walls of Castle of Alanya can there 16 endemic (a plant unique to the place it grows) plants be found.

History

In a few words:
Mankind settled here almost 20 thousand years ago, living in caves. According to Heredot, the separated communities after the Trojan War inhabited the city, borders of which were from Pamphylia to Cilicia. The city used to host many pirates that even Rome, the world empire of the ancient times, did not have authority on them. In the medieval times, the city was under the rule of Byzantium Empire, but later served to Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate. The sultan loved the city so much that after the reconstruction of the city, he named it with his own name. Alanya has had many names up to now; Coracesium, Kalonoros and Alaiye. Today, with its history that survived against thousands of years, Alanya is nominated as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
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Geographical Position, Climate and Vegetation Cover

Alanya is located on the south of Turkey, in Mediterranean region within the borders of a province called Antalya. While it is hot and arid in summer, rainy and humid in winter there, it is always possible to feel the sun heat for approximately 300 days throughout a year. Citrus fruits has an important role in people’s living. Alanya is absolutely unique with its lemon, orange and citrus trees that are spread over the town’s streets.
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Modern Alanya

After tourism sector took its place in Alanya in the 50’s, it has served as a model especially about tourism both in Turkey and the world with its cooperating public and government. With its museums, sport centers, opportunities for culture and art activities Alanya attracts approximately 15 thousand tourists both in winter and summer every year! Alanya has 12 sister cities eleven of which are European and their townsfolks have sincere relationships with each other.
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