Manavgat and Side

SIDE
Side is reached by turning south 3 km. before Manavgat on the Antalya-Alanya highway. The exact date of its founding is not known. In the language of Anatolia "Side" means Pomegranate. From inscriptions it appears that Side dates back to the Hittite Period. The city was constructed on a peninsula and was a Hellenistic and Roman town, protected by city and sea walls. One's attention is particularly drawn to the city gates and walls, as well as many remains of aqueducts which brought water from the foothills of the Taurus Mountains and the surrounding country. The old baths have been restored and turned into a museum, in which are exhibited some of the statues and art treasures found in Side.
One of its most important buildings is its 15,000 spectator theater. The difference between this Roman theater and other antique theaters in the region is that it is not built against a hillside. The 2 storey theater, built on a series of arches, is 20 m. high. The orchestra and the stage are in a state of ruin. Rainwater canals run under the theater. Side has colonnaded streets, a triumphal arch, a harbor, baths, fountains, cisterns, aquaducts, temples and an agora.

SELGE
Selge is in the north of Manavgat, on the Antalya-Alanya highway, where the Selge signpost will be seen, after which it is a further 55 km. The road is good until Koprulu Canyon, but for the last 12 km. after the ancient bridge, a jeep-type vehicle is recommended. It is particularly beautiful in the area of the Koprulu Canyon. Built at 950 m. above sea level, Selge was a Psidia mountain settlement. The best preserved building is the theater, and the city walls, the tower, the cisterns, the stadium and the necropolis are worth seeing.