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KORAKESION |
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KORAKESION |
The ancient Alanya |
 Alanya (ancient Korakesion) which is 168 kms. to the east of
Antalya is situated on a rocky peninsula. With its unique defensive position and well-sheltered harbour, the city played an important role during the Hellenistic period and served as a refuge for pirates under the Roman rule. After being captured by Alaeddin Keykubat I, the Seljuk Sultan, and turned into a naval base, the city grew in size and population and was called Alaiye which later become Alonya. Following the decline of the Seljuks, Alanya passed into the hands of the Karamanlis.Remains of the walls from the Classical age con still be seen on the peninsula. The present castle built by Alaeddin Keykubat I Consists of three walls. In the early ages there were boat stations along the sea where ships loaded cedar. Owing to its strong defenses Korakesion was able to resist successfully the troops of Antiochus who invaded Cilicia. Alanya assumed importance in the Seljuk period with its shipbuilding industry, but it suffered heavy destruction later during the battles between the armies of Sultan Mehmet II, and Karamanogullan, and like other cities in this region, it never regained its former level of prosperity. |
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