Kalekapasi, Antalya, Turkey
The Fluted Minaret at Kalekapasi,
Antalya. (click for photos).
Translated, Kalekapasi means "fortress gate." Although there's no actual gate any more, it's still serves as the main entrance to the harbor area and old city. It is well landmarked by the fluted minaret and the clock tower. There's also a statue of Ataturk and a town square nearby. Across the street (Cumhurriyet Caddesi), is Sarampol, a popular shopping district. Kalekapasi offers magnificent views of the harbor and the bay. A pedestrianized street, called Uzun Carsi Sokak (literally, long market street), descends into the ancient harbor area from here. This pleasantly shaded street is lined with a variety of shops and cafes.
The clock tower is the only one of eighty towers which originally surrounded the ancient city, and is the only one which has survived until today. This tower may have served as a lighthouse or mausoleum at one time.
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