Side is located on a small peninsula between the village of Manavgat and the city of Antalya. It is bordered by the Toros Mountains. Having a rest in Turkey, every tourist can see their amazing beauty from a close distance, hiking along various mountain trails. At the very foot of the mountains is a flat strip of land, smoothly turning into a stunning beach coast.
The city's historical past is incredibly interesting. It was founded in the 7th century BC. e., since the capture of the city by Greek settlers. Two centuries later, during the Persian hegemony, its own coins appeared here. Alexander of Macedon conquered the city in 334 BC. e., and its inhabitants laid down their weapons before the commander without resistance. Then the city fell into the power of the Ptolemies, after which the Seleucids. Next, Side came to Pergamum, departing with him to Rome.
After 6 centuries since its foundation, the city has become a center of entertainment, culture and trade. After another 100 years, the Cilician pirates captured him, creating him the bad reputation of the largest center of the slave trade. Roman commander Pompey in 67 BC e. he dealt with the pirates, restoring the reputation of the city, for which grateful residents erected statues in his honor. From this moment the Roman period of the city began, after which it began to flourish.
Side's many attractions
It is clear that the city, which has such a rich past, also has a huge arsenal of all kinds of attractions. Every era has left its mark here. Historical monuments attract tourists from all over the planet. At the same time, in combination with amazing beaches, comfortable hotels, as well as a clear sea, relaxation here is only the most unforgettable experience.
Considering the sights of Side, it is worth highlighting the remains of the walls, ancient streets, aqueducts, an ancient theater, public toilets and Roman baths - all this will make you forget that now is the 21st century. Your imagination will take you to the arena of the theater, in which there were fights of gladiators, where slaves were thrown into predatory animals for food for entertainment. It is likely that in the beautiful garden you hear the murmur of the fountain, feel the aroma of fragrant flowers. When exploring the sights of Side, you can also feel like a servant of the temple, and the Anatolian land is rich in them.
You will be struck by the temples of Athena and Apollo, which are built in the Corinthian style of marble. From the images on the coins, it was revealed that these two sights of Side belonged to Athena and Apollo, two of the most important gods. It is believed that the large temple belonged to the goddess, and the one smaller in size belonged to Apollo, since on coins the god stands in front of the small church, Athena holds a model of a large structure in the palm of her hand. Near them was also the temple of Mena, the god of the moon.
Near the
triumphal arch built in honor of Vespasian is a fountain. In its niches are sculptures of the emperor and other statesmen - these are other
attractions. Turkey, Side in particular, as you already understood, is rich in them. The decoration of this fountain included a facade, which is made of three-tiered decorative columns, drains in each recess between the columns, a ceiling, on the plates of which were depicted the heads of jellyfish and fish in the lower part with a wide acanthus and in the end parts with
relief forms of dolphins. Here, water was supplied from nearby sites using lead pipes. This Side fountain, whose sights are simply amazing, was considered the most expensive and luxurious fountain in Anatolia.
A large number of necropolises are located outside the city. At this place there are tombs and graves - monuments in the form of temples, as well as modest sarcophagi. In the niches of the mausoleums are marble sarcophagi.