Rising on a 10-hectare peninsula stretching into the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Alanya Castle is an extraordinary historical heritage site that preserves the traces of the past within its imposing walls, which extend for approximately 6 kilometres. Having hosted numerous civilizations, from the Hellenistic period and Rome to Byzantium, the Anatolian Seljuks and the Ottoman Empire, the castle is not merely a defensive structure but also a magnificent open-air museum showcasing Alanya’s rich history, cultural diversity and strategic importance.
Alanya first entered the historical record under the name Korakesion, with its origins dating back to the 4th century BC. Mentioned by the ancient geographer Strabo, the city stood out as an important gateway to Cilicia from the west. Thanks to its steep rocky terrain and sheltered harbour, Korakesion became a favoured refuge for pirates and rebels in the 2nd century BC. The Hellenistic fortification walls dating from the era of Diototos Tryphon still bear witness to this turbulent past.
In 65 BC, the Battle of Korakesion brought an end to pirate domination when the Romans, under the command of Pompey, defeated the pirates. The city continued to develop during the Roman period, its fortifications were expanded, and coins were minted in the names of emperors. Today, examples of these coins can be seen at the Alanya Museum.
During the Byzantine era, the city was known as Kalonoros, meaning “Beautiful Mountain”, and continued to serve as an important harbour for Mediterranean trade and maritime navigation. The church inside the Inner Citadel, Arap Evliyası, the monastery ruins on Cilvarda Cape and the walls featuring circular towers are among the significant structures reflecting the architectural and cultural heritage of this period.
A new chapter in Alanya Castle’s history began in 1221, when Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I took control of the city. Renamed Alaiye, the city became one of the Seljuk Empire’s most important naval bases. Playing a major role in Mediterranean trade, Alaiye developed commercial connections with various regions, particularly Egypt and Syria. Genoese, Venetian and Florentine merchants travelled here to purchase spices, linen, sugar and valuable cedar timber used in shipbuilding. The Italian merchant Francesco Balducci Pegolotti also referred to the units of measurement used in Alaiye in his work Pratica della Mercatura, highlighting the city’s significance in international commerce.
The surviving Seljuk monuments are among the most important elements of the castle’s historical identity. Its imposing fortification walls and enormous cisterns, Alanya Shipyard, Red Tower, Tophane, the Inner Citadel Palace Complex, Ehmedek, Akşebe Mosque, Andızlı Mosque and historic baths reflect the architectural traditions and defensive systems of the period.
Following the decline of the Seljuk Empire, Alaiye came under the control of various political powers before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in 1471. During the Ottoman period, Süleymaniye Mosque in the Upper Castle, the bedesten, the traditional bazaar and Alanya’s characteristic historic houses contributed to the city’s cultural identity. During the Republican era, the city adopted its present name, Alanya, at the request of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The history of Alanya Castle is revealed not only through its architectural monuments but also through the accounts of travellers who visited the region. In 1332, Ibn Battuta mentioned the high-quality timber exported from the region to Egypt. In the 17th century, Kâtip Çelebi compared the castle’s grandeur to that of Baghdad Castle and drew attention to the abundance of cotton, silk and sesame in the region. Evliya Çelebi, who visited in 1671, provided detailed descriptions of its houses, madrasas, schools, inns, shops and steep stairways.
Researcher Setton Lloyd also examined the city in his work Alaiyye, dividing it into five main areas separated by the fortifications. These included the crescent-shaped area around the Red Tower and Shipyard, the sloping hill above it, the area between Ehmedek and the Inner Citadel, the Inner Citadel itself and Cilvarda Cape. This classification illustrates the historical and geographical structure of Alanya Castle.
Having preserved the traces of different civilizations over the centuries, Alanya Castle remains one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable historical heritage sites. From ancient defensive walls and magnificent Seljuk monuments to traditional Ottoman architecture and travellers’ accounts, every corner tells a different story.
Today, visiting Alanya Castle means embarking on a journey through time, from a refuge for pirates to a major trading port, and from a powerful Seljuk naval base to a treasured cultural heritage site. With its commanding views over the Mediterranean, breathtaking scenery and rich historical character, Alanya Castle continues to connect the past with the present. It is an essential destination for anyone wishing to discover Alanya’s history and explore the legacy of the civilizations that shaped it.