ANTALYA, TURKEY WALKING TOUR - Kaleiçi, Old Town

Today we will accompany you on a very beautiful walking tour in one of Turkey's most beautiful cities: the wonderful city of Antalya Kaleiçi, Old Town. Antalya is known for its excellent high-end resorts, as well as fairy-tale beaches. Antalya is the fifth-most populous city in Turkey and the capital of Antalya Province. Recognized as the "capital of tourism" in Turkey and a pivotal part of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya sits on Anatolia's southwest coast, flanked by the Taurus Mountains. With over 2.6 million people in its metropolitan area, it is the largest city in Turkey's Mediterranean Region, situated along the Mediterranean Sea. Kaleiçi, Old Town, is a quarter of Antalya located in the Muratpaşa district, the historic center of the city, surrounded by land fortifications and the sea. Kaleiçi contains buildings from various periods of the city's history, beginning with the ancient Roman period. The name "Kaleiçi" means "inside the fortress." The Old Town has preserved narrow streets and alleys. Many streets branch out from the harbor toward the outer walls. The appearance of traditional old town houses varies depending on the wealth of the owners, but there are many common characteristics. As a rule, they combine stone masonry and wood. The houses face the street, and there is a garden behind the house. Wooden bay windows on the upper floor, decorated with ornaments, are common. The ground floor of such a house is intended for utility and storage rooms, as well as the kitchen, and the upper floor is for living quarters. The upper floor is well lit, has large windows, sometimes two rows of windows. The upper row of windows has small, usually colored glass. Many Kaleiçi houses have been restored. In addition, the Old City contains religious buildings, including the most famous minaret in Antalya, Yivli Minaret.