Hadrian's Gate, Antalya, Turkey
Hadrian's Gate. (click for photos).
Built in AD 130 to honor the visit of the Roman emperor Hadrian, this monstrous beautiful entrance to the old city of Antalya, or Kaleici, rises up on four pedalstals, and has three entrances with ornamental pillars and arches. Today, it is the only remaining gate in the old city walls. Some newcomers to Antalya happen upon it while walking down Cumhurriyet Caddesi, stopping in their tracks, mouths gaping, if only to say "wow." One can only imagine what it looked like when it was first built.
Originally, Hadrian's gate probably had statues of the Emperor and his family on top of the archs, but these have not survived.
There are towers on each side of the gate, which are not alike. The tower the left side (as one is facing the gate) is from the Roman Era. But the one on the right side has an inscription which says that it was built by Sultan Keykubad I (1219 - 1238).
Today the gate serves as an entrance to the most pleasant area of old Antalya, called Kaleici (fortress interior), with its labyrinth of quiet, pedestiranized cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, no-hassle shops, restaurants, and cafes. Hadrian's gate underwent restoration in 1959.
If you'd like to see more photos of Hadrian's gate, and Antalya, you can do so by clicking below:
Hadrian's Gate and Antalya Photos
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