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Air of Alanya: story of one love

I want to confess ... I have been seriously in love. I have a love affair with the city. In my opinion, every city has its own, very special odor. My Alanya smells like love. Love at first sight. Such velvet tenderness has been settled in my heart, when I first visited this city. Many years later, our feelings are still mutual. We meet over a cup of coffee at its lovely streets; cuddle on park benches, immersed in greenery and floral aromas; watch the sunset on a romantic beach. If you have at least a couple of days to visit this friendly beauty - make yourself this wonderful gift ... And I will share with you how to spend one unforgettable day in the beautiful city with the scent of love.

I am convinced that really deep sense needs not only admiration the beauty of the love object, but also knowing its history. Therefore, I recommend starting to explore the city from my most favorite place - the Archaeological Museum. There were found evidences of people living more than 6 thousand years ago! The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Catholics, Muslims dominated in this area long time ago. The Museum is less than 50 years old, but it has already boasted a very impressive, ever-growing collection of exhibits. In the archaeological department you will be surrounded by collection of ancient Roman and Byzantine glass products, bronze, marble, baked clay. The highlight of the exhibition is an impressive symbol of the museum - a large collection of vessels ash, located in the building and in the garden.

In the hall of ethnographic art are presented household items, jewelry, clothing, weapons, which were found in Alanya and its regions. There are represented the Ottoman-era weapons, items of weaving and hand-written text of the Koran. Half-meter statue of Hercules was discovered in 1967 near Alanya. Historians believe that the monument was brought there by pirates as a trophy from the robbed ship. There is no less interesting the museum courtyard, which is a kind of showroom in the open air, guarded by handsome peacocks. In the far corner is the reconstructed area of agriculture, which shows the process of making olive oil in the Roman period. And in another part of the garden are two military guns Ottoman period.

So, it's time to pay attention to body pleasures. First, get some health! Go to Damlataş ("The cave of wet stones"). It is not only very beautiful and unusual place, but also it has a curative effect due to a stable temperature, very high humidity, and high content of carbon dioxide. Inside it you will see fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, dating back more than 15 thousand years! There are many benches, where you can lie down, enjoy the unusual atmosphere, and shelter from the bright sun.

Let’s continue to learn our beautiful Alanya. We will climb to the castle - the symbol of the city. You can get here by car, by bus №4, by mountain bike or walking (with the supply of water, time, and a strong desire to pump up muscles). In any of the options I recommend first to climb to the top and see the castle, and then descend slowly, enjoying every meter of the way and the observation deck, taking pictures of the incredible beauty of the bay.

Alanya Castle, built by Sultan Alladin Keykubad at the beginning of the XIII century, is the main attraction of the city. It stands on the ruins of an earlier Roman military fortification, and it is the only surviving Seljuk fortress in the world, that was turned into an open-air museum. Entrance to the castle cost 15 lira, but most parts of the fortress can be visited free of charge. Even if you're not a big fan of looking at the ruins, especially on a hot day, believe me, the stunning views from a height of 250 meters worth the effort and money.

A great find for lovers of adrenaline. On the northwest side of the castle, there is a small pond, and behind it a breakage. That place local people call Adam Atadzhak ("thrown into the abyss"). According to the well-known legend, it is place where ancient Romans threw sentenced to death people. There is a special platform where everyone can test their luck. Grab a stone and try to throw it to the water's edge! If you get into the goal, you will “save” yourself from death.

After returning to reality, it is so pleasure to drink a cup of Turkish tea and eat kebab or gőzleme in one of the lovely restaurants. There you can’t stop to surprise the beauty of the spellbinding sea.

Somewhere in the distance, waves merge with the sky and turned into milk. That is why the Turks call the Mediterranean Akdeniz, meaning “the White Sea”. The way back it is necessary to walk, making stops and taking pictures of stunning beauty of Alanya.

If time and energy allow, don’t fail to visit the majestic Kizil Kule (the Red Tower), a symbol of maritime domination of the Seljuks. It is located in the very foundation of the fortress, next to the port. We go inside and buy a little trip to the past. On the ground floor there is a branch of the museum of Alanya, which is ethnographic value from the sea bottom. Then go upstairs, it will be difficult, but you will appreciate the opportunity to feel like the defending hero. After impressions of the day, we go down to the waterfront, decorated with the most unusual of all sailboats I have ever seen. There you should have dinner in one of the harbor restaurants, to walk to the lighthouse, or just sit on a bench, to drink juice, to eat the corn, and to watch as the boiling night life of this magnificent city. There are many sport and cultural events, fairs, and it is likely you swallow languid dance with my love. Enjoy it. I'm not jealous, I promise.

Marysa Dmitrievskaya