Studies conducted at the ancient city of Syedra, one of Alanya's significant archaeological and cultural values, were introduced at a meeting organized at the Alanya Museum Directorate under the leadership of the Alanya District Governorate. Following the meeting, a tour of the region was organized. In addition to surface studies in Syedra, walking paths have been completed, creating an environment where tourists can explore. The ceramics belonging to the Hellenistic Period, red-slipped serving plates, glazed ceramics belonging to the Byzantine Period, fragments of glass vessels, various metal objects, spinning wheels, and weaving looms uncovered during the surface studies will be exhibited at the Alanya Museum Directorate.
“SYEDRA IS A VERY IMPORTANT VALUE OF CULTURAL TOURISM”
The briefing meeting held at the Alanya Museum Conference Hall was attended as speakers by Alanya District Governor Dr. Hasan Tanrıseven, as well as Museum Director Seher Türkmen and Syedra Surface Research Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birol Can. The opening speech of the briefing meeting was delivered by Museum Director Seher Türkmen. Director Türkmen explained the values discovered since Syedra's identification and registration studies. Stating that Syedra is a very important asset regarding cultural tourism, Museum Director Türkmen thanked District Governor Tanrıseven, noting that he has contributed greatly to bringing Syedra into tourism.
“THE BEAUTIES IN SYEDRA ARE COMING TO LIGHT”
Syedra Surface Research Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birol Can stated the following in his speech: “The history of the Ancient City of Syedra dates back to the Bronze Age, and it is observed that there was life in the city until the Hellenistic Period. Syedra is located at a key point with its harbor, which is spread over a very wide area, and its church. In our surface research, we encountered ceramics belonging to the Hellenistic Period, red-slipped serving plates, glazed ceramics belonging to the Byzantine Period, fragments belonging to glass vessels, various metal objects, and weights belonging to spinning whorls and weaving looms. As a result of the surface research we have conducted, the beauties in Syedra are beginning to come to light. In addition to water cisterns, the Baptism Cave, churches, the Theater, cemeteries, and olive processing workshops have been uncovered in Syedra. We will begin excavation works in the upcoming period. I would like to thank our municipalities, public institutions, and organizations, especially our Alanya District Governor Mr. Dr. Hasan Tanrıseven, who has always supported us in our studies.”
“OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP CULTURAL TOURISM IN ALANYA”
Speaking at the briefing meeting, Alanya District Governor Dr. Hasan Tanrıseven said, “We consider the work at the Syedra Ancient City to be extremely important. We want Alanya not only to be dependent on sea, sand, and sun tourism but also to be a destination for cultural tourism.”
Tanrıseven stated the following in the continuation of his speech: “After taking office, we wanted to develop Alanya’s cultural tourism by restarting the excavation works at Alanya Castle, which had been interrupted for a long time. In our studies conducted with the Museum Directorate, we worked to bring the ancient city of Syedra into cultural tourism in addition to Alanya Castle. Under the leadership of the Alanya District Governorate and with the contributions of the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, walking paths were constructed in Syedra. Syedra is an important city belonging to the Cilician and Byzantine periods. We believe that the interest of European tourists in this historical city will be particularly great. To promote Syedra, which is quite close to many hotels in the east of Alanya, we will work together with Alanya Municipality, the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Coordination, and our tourism professionals. We must work hand in hand for Alanya to become one of the leading cities in cultural tourism. Our goal is to develop cultural tourism in Alanya. When we bring Syedra into tourism, both tourism professionals and citizens will benefit from it. I thank everyone who contributed to the works carried out in Syedra.”
PROMOTIONAL TOUR TO SYEDRA
Following the briefing meeting held at the Alanya Museum Conference Hall, a tour of Syedra took place with a presentation by the Syedra Surface Research Head, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birol Can. Providing information about the studies conducted at the Syedra Ancient City, Can stated that, according to the research results, life continued in the ancient city from the 7th century BC to the 13th century AD. The Syedra Surface Research Head, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birol Can, said that structures such as a colonnaded street, a bath, a temple, cisterns, a basilica, a theater, an olive processing workshop, and an agora are located within the Syedra Ancient City. Can expressed that the cleaning works and the arrangement of walking paths of the Syedra Ancient City have been completed, and the historical city is ready for visits by domestic and foreign tourists.
“SYEDRA PROMISES A BRIGHT FUTURE”
During a visit to the Syedra Ancient City, Alanya District Governor Dr. Hasan Tanrıseven stated in his assessment that Syedra is of great importance due to its scenery and historical texture, and expressed that it would be beneficial for tourism professionals to introduce Syedra to tourists through various activities and tours organized by them. District Governor Tanrıseven said that Syedra possesses great values that will be brought to light through collaborative efforts and that Syedra promises a future in terms of tourism.
SYEDRA CAN BE VISITED FOR FREE
District Governor Tanrıseven stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has included Syedra within the scope of archaeological sites that can be visited free of charge, saying, “We will work to ensure that the free visit application continues next year as well, so that Syedra becomes sufficiently well-known. Our aim is for more domestic and foreign tourists to visit and get to know the ancient city of Syedra.”
HIGH PARTICIPATION IN THE MEETING AND THE TOUR
The presentation meeting and tour regarding the Syedra Ancient City studies were attended by Alanya District Governor Dr. Hasan Tanrıseven, along with Alanya Municipality and Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) President Adem Murat Yücel, Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) Board Member and Alanya Association of Tourist Operators (ALTİD) President Burhan Sili, District Gendarmerie Commander Major Serkan Akbaba, Alanya Hamdullah Emin Paşa University Rector Erol Sayın, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism İbrahim Acar, District Police Chief Haşim Çakmaklı, District Museum Director Seher Türkmen, Syedra Surface Research Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birol Can, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Alanya Coordinator Hüseyin Güney, ALTİD Board Member Elvan Güneş, ALTAV Board Member Kasımoğlu Kerim Yılmaz, Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) Alanya Regional Executive Board (BYK) Secretary General Cengiz Topçu, directors of public institutions and organizations, tourism professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and many citizens.