Alanya Observer

Alanya has been called different names throughout its history. Korakesion (Land of the Rook) embraced pirates; Kolonoros (Beautiful Mountain) welcomed Byzantines; Alaiye (City of Aladdin the founder), presented its hospitality; Alanya (where the sun shines 300 days) is home for us. The geographical survey ‘Skylaks’ indicates that Korakesion was first seen on the pages of history 2.400 years ago in the 4th century B.C. Despite the fact that Korakesion did not play an important role in the history, its reputation spread over the ancient world with its solid defence. A rebel named Diodotos provoked piracy in the vicinity of the settlement by using Korakesion as his headquarters for his rebellion against Seleucid king Antiochus VII. After a series of bloody struggles, Alanya became the base of famous Cilician pirates. Of course this annoyed the imperialist Romans, who enjoyed controlling trade with eastern colonies, becauses of their commercial losses on the way to the eastern world. Trade was being threatened by the pirates. Then Rome felt this had to stop and sent Pompey the Great as the commander of Roman Naval Forces.

67 B.C: Today’s beautiful turquoise shores of the Mediterranean were set on fire by hostile battleships. The stunning turquoise colour sea had to withstand inevitable punishment from Pompey because it was the accomplice of pirates, by being painted red. Pirates, given the harshest notice by determined soldiers of the Roman Empire, were dragged out of Korakesion. Smoke, blood, flames and screams describe the unforgettable setting for the triumph of Rome along the shores of Korakesion. Gods and goddesses blessed the Roman victory and peace replaced chaos. Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt, met Mark Anthony, Roman Commander of Cilicia Region, and fell in love immediately. It was a romantic relationship as well as being a dangerous one. They got married in this small but romantic fishing town in 32 B.C. Mark Anthony gave the town to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. However they did not have enough time to enjoy their marriage as they had to be ready for their inevitable destiny. We believe the reason Cleopatra chose Alanya was not only because of its beauty but also the presence of densely planted cedar trees which could be used in the building of warships later.

Some time later the name of the town was changed. Perhaps the legend of the prophecy was forgotten or the new name Kolonoros was thought to suit the city better. The name ‘Beautiful Mountain’ makes no sense unless you have seen it. When one looks down to Cleopatra Beach to the west and Aladdin Beach to the east, one immediately feels the undeniable glory and one can say “That is the right name for this place, ‘KOLONOROS’. Of course life in the town was not as active all the time as it had been in the late Byzantine period. It was quiet, calm and warm as always. This time, along with its beauty, Kolonoros was much wiser and received the prayers of priests and a Christian community. Today a monastery and an 11th century church can be seen in the castle as silent witnesses to ancient times.