Hadrian's Gate - Antalya, Turkey

Antalya, Turkey (in ancient times called Attaleia) was once surrounded by large, defensive stone walls.  There were gates to pass through which could be closed off if attacked by invaders.  Hadrian's gate is the only remaining gate and likely the most ornate. Built in 130 AD to commemorate and honor a visit by the Emperor Hadrian it stands amazingly well preserved today.

The stones over which countless carts passed for centuries are also well preserved.  Their deeply grooved footprints remain in the stone as evidence of the traffic in and out of the ancient city. 
 

The towers on either side of the gate were actually built later and then attached to the gate - still ancient they seem "modern" compared to the gate itself.  They date back to the 1200's!  Hadrian's gate continues to serve as the entrance to Kaleici (Old Antalya).  Back in the day Kaleici was all there was of Antalya.  Now it is a preserved historic district filled with little shops and hotels down narrow, winding roads.  The larger city of modern Antalya has built up all around "Old Antalya".

Sadly, we are still in the middle of a pandemic.  And there is currently a curfew in Turkey on the weekends, in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus, so none of the little shops were open.  

 We will have to visit again once the Covid-19 crisis has passed and we can visit the shops.  For today we simply enjoyed a stroll around Kaleici and the nearby park.  Tomorrow we leave for Kas.