About Our Region

ANTALYA

When King Attalos first set eyes on Antalya he dubbed it “Paradise on Earth”. It’s fertile soil and natural harbour made it ideal for settlers throughout the ages. Antalya has had an extremely chequered history. The Persians, Alexander the Great, The Romans the Arabs and many more have all left their mark on the area over the centuries but no one more so than King Attalos of Pergamon who in 159 B.C.gave the region its name Attalia, from which we derive the modern name Antalya.

Those days of glory began to fade however during the Byzantium period at the turn of the 3rd century A.D. with the fall of Constantinople as the capital of East Rome.Later the Arab invasions with their plundering and pillaging signalled the final demise of these great cities. And in 1207 the regions of Antalya and Alanya came to be associated with the Selchuks.

Antalya and its environs enjoyed a golden era in the first and second centuries A.D., reflected in the magnificence and multitude of cities to be found at that time of which Side and Aspendos in the east and Phaselis, Olympos and Xanthos in the west are just a few.
Claudius M.S. 43 yılında Likya’yı Roma’nın bir vilayeti ilan etti ve M.S. 74 yılında Vespasian, vilayetin sınırlarını Pamfilyaya ve Likyanın doğusuna kadar genişleterek Likya-Pamfilya vilayetini kurdu.

Today the city of Antalya is again reliving a golden age. It has been transformed into a cultural and touristic hub with much on offer to satisfy the discerning visitor – whether it’s a guided tour through ancient ruins, a fun packed family holiday or just a romantic boat trip on the sea. Whatever it is you are looking for Antalya has it all.

The Mosque with Fluted Minarets which is the symbol of the city, the Murat Pasha Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque, the Kaleici (Inner Citadel) District, where the old Antalya houses are located, the Ataturk and Karalioglu parks where various exotic Mediterranean plants are grown, the Hadrianus Gate, the Ataturk and the Archaeological Museums are worth seeing. The Lara beach to the east and the Konyaalti beach to the west of the city are ideal for swimming. Besides these beaches, there are also two water parks in Antalya in which various water games are played.

Among the interesting places in the vicinity of the city of Antalya are the Upper and Lower Duden Falls, Kursunlu Falls, Saklikent, which is a winter sports center, Gulluk Mountain National Park, with its famous ancient city of Termessos and Karain Cave which was a settlement place in the Stone Age.

SIDE

When you turn South at the 75 th km. of Antalya – Alanya main road a nice avenue winding through hotels and hauses for about 3 km and situated on a peninsula about 1000 m long and 400 m. wide, it fulfilled its duty as a commercial port.Naturally, Side used to be one of the most important trade centers in the antiquity and now it is one of the most popular holiday resort in Turkey.

According to Strabon the ancient geographer, side was first established in the 7 th cen. B.C. as a trade colony of the Aegean city Kyme near İzmir But the merchants took up the local language, Side tan the name “Side” meant pomegranate, the fruit symbolizing abundance and fertility. Like the other Pamphylian cities in general, Side was ruled by Lydia in the sixth cent. B.C. and Persia after 547-546 B.C.

The coins minted in here prove that Side had at least an internal independence. Alexander the Great conquered Side in the first year of the great campaign on Asia in 334 B.C. and was introduced to Hellenistic culture. After his death the empire was shared by generals (323-304). The Southern Turkey, including Side changed hands quite often , especially between the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt ( 301-215 ) and the Seleucid dynasty of Syria ( 2 nd cent B.C ) after the apameia peace agreement between the Romans and thedefeated Syrian kingdom, but Pergama could not gain a complete control over Side.

King Attalos of Pergama founded a new city, Attaleia ( Antalya ) as a commercial rival to Side and others on the South coast. At the turn of century Side was a slave-trade center in the hends of Pirates. It was only the Romans who stopped piracy on the eastern Mediterranean and let the southern Anatolian cities in ( Cilicia, Pamphylia and Lycia ) prosper again in peace and safety 78 B.C. Pamphylia was attached to the provice of Galatia by emperor Augustus in 25 B.C. when all the provinces in the Roman empire were re-organised.

Side lived its second birth and wealthy period until 5th and 6th cen. A.D as a Pamphylian city that was placed sometimes in Galatia, sometimes in Lycia. Especially its active role in the slave trade enabled this semiindependent city to gain wealth and most of the structures in ruins at present were built during this period of time. Side felt the necessity of repairing the defensive walls in the second half of 3 rd cend. A.D because of the successive attacks by the highlanders from the north. Furthermore, they built an inner wall right through the city in 4 th cent A.D. Unfortunately these precautions were not enough to secure those great days again and Side started declining.

In 1985 the migrants came to Side from Cretan Island and the little village that is the heart of side today, was once the half of the peninsula. The extraordinary architecture with village houses of side, called once „Selimiye“, has become an important tourism centre.

SiDE IN MYTHOLOGY
One day, Accordinkes to the Anatolion Mythology, The God Taurus takes her youngest daughter Side, who had been The Goddes of nature and abundance, to the valley of the Rıver Manauwa (Manavgat) for picking up flowers and making wreaths with the Nymphes (water-fairies) While picking up flowers and dancing with the Nymphes, Side, suddenly sees a tree with thin branches having shiny leaves and colourful flowers and breaks off a branch, to take it to her little daugther. As she breaks the branch off it starts bleeding. Accually, Side realizes that the tree is not a real one it is a Nymphe who has escaped from some wicked human beings and taken the shape of a tree. She is so sorry and so scared that she wants to go away, but she can’t. She is stuck and she feels that her feet are bried in ground. Then her body changes into a from of a tree. The Nymphes are sad and they start crying. The Nymphes are sad and they start crying. The fresh roots of Side are watered with the of Nymphes. Side says that it was her fault and ask the Nymphes to take a message to her little daugher The message is as follows; From now on I’ll be the symbol of nature, life and abundance with my blood-red rich fruit, I ask you to take my daughter here from time to time, to play in my shade. And warn her not to pick flowers and never damage trees on earth; because any of those trees could be a Goddes. This is why the peninsula of Side full of pomegranate trees .

MANAVGAT

The foundation of Manavgat is not known for certain, but can be estimated to around B.C. 200-150. It is understood from early documents, that the river provided cargo and human transportation from the very first centuries till recent years.

Between 400s and 500s Manavgat played a big role for people’s settlement. It is understood that the river was still being used as a popular way of transportation in Manavgat during this period of time, but Manavgat was not widely known as a residential area until shortly after the Malazgirt war when the Nomads moved in to area.

The history of the town is known to be very old and it is believed that the name Manavgat comes from the word “Munouwa” which means Temple of Mother Goddess in the old language of Luwi. The place was supposed to be used as the sacred area for the Ancient cities of Seleukeia and Side over different periods of time.

Manavgat became a village of Turkish Republic at 1923. The town Manavgat, which is located 72 km far from the province Antalya and founded on the plain that lies on both sides of the River Manavgat. The city centre is 4 km far from the shore of the Mediterranean. Manavgat was the name of the region from north Taurus mountains, to South Mediterranean and to its river. The Northern part of the town that is bordered by the Taurus Mountains is covered with beautiful forests. The river Manavgat, which flows through the town, gives the plain fertility and richness.

The Manavgat Waterfall and its delta are the most important natural riches of the town. The other natural beauties of the region in the South are the Sorgun Forest with pine trees and the lake “Titreyengöl”, which was formed by alluvions that filled the delta of the River Manavgat. In the Northern part of the river Manavgat there are the Lake of Oymapınar and Manavgat Dams. The Dams and its surroundings have a unique beauty.

The plain of Manavgat, which is 2500 m2 and is the most fertile plain of the province Antalya. Manavgat is suitable for growing cotton, wheat, barley and 45 different kinds of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables growing in greenhouses in an important from of farming in the region and in recent years the greenhouse flowering has drastically improved. It is also where Trout are bred in some parts of the river, meaning that all sorts fresh food can be locally sourced and provided.

LOCAL CULTURE

Language
Since 1928, the modern Turkish language is using the Latin alphabet which has replaced the Arabic. Nevertheless for the European tongue is not that easy to pronounce.

Festivals
Every summery the Opera and Ballet Festival, a feast for the eyes and ears takes place in the Ancient Aspendos Theatre famous for its acoustics.

Food and Drink
Turkish Cuisine is on the best in the world. Its famous for its huge variety of mean and vegetable dishes, to its pastries and desserts. You should not miss an evening in a typical Turkish restaurant to taste all these delicacies. Try also one of the traditional drinks like Raki, Ayran(cold yoghurt drink), Turkish Tea or coffee.

Local Produce
Antalya province is the centre of the agricultural production in Turkey. Due to the available climate conditions, all kinds of fruit and vegetables can be grown and harvested several times a year. Antalya Province is also well know for carpet weaving and leather production.

Beaches
For beach lovers, Antalya offers a broad spectrum. You can choose among small coves or beaches around Kemer, pebble beaches with crystal clear water, up to the long wide sandy beaches in the east. Along the coastline of the Turkish Riviera you fins 187 Beaches which are awarded the Blue Flag.

5 Facts about Turkey

Turkey is bordered by eight countries – Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Izgara Kofte – or grilled meatballs- is a typical dish
Islam is the main religion
Football is the most played sport
Raki is a traditional drink; and it’s made with grapes and flavoured with aniseed

Caretta & Caretta

During your holiday you can get the chance to witness the natural wonder of loggerheads dropping by at our beach as one of their favourites and laying eggs in our hotel. The beach at Flora Garden Beach is one of the nesting areas of the Caretta Caretta(Loggerhead) turtles.

Once in a year they walk onto beach in order to lay an egg. You must be really lucky to see a mother loggerhead. For this reason, we do our best to make sure we are looking after these delightful creatures by ensuring we are doing all we can to keep them protected

Female Carettas are very sensitive during their nesting and breeding period. For this reason, when the females are laying their eggs on the beach they must not be disturbed.
Minimum in the designated protected areas of coastline.
Vehicles may compress any sand that they pass over. This could result in the baby carettas becoming trapped in the sand. For this reason,the nesting areas are protected by prohibiting vehichles from entering the beach.
Only vehicles approved by the Caretta Carettas Protection Assosication are allowed entry to the beaches and are used for cleaning the surface on the beach.
The peak period for nesting is May – September. During this time, strict noise and lighting measures are implemented in nesting areas.
Activities disturbing the natural balance on the beach such as taking sand and pebbles are not permitted.
Beach restaurants and bars are not allowed to be constructed in the nesting area.Beach umbrellas are positioned in such a way that they will not be harmful or have a negative impact on nesting area.
You will find that external lighting in Flora Garden Beach Club is dim so as not to confuse the baby carettas and draw them away from the sea once they hatch.