Alanya Castle

High above the rest of the city is the old castle. It is located approximately 250 metres above sea level and so the views from there are breathtaking.
It is difficult to confirm the exact foundation date of the castle but contributions from the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks are there to be seen. However the biggest influence on the size and shape of the castle can be ascribed to the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat.
A 6km town wall with 140 watch towers winds around the castle. It made it almost impossible for would-be attackers to go undiscovered. On the way up the winding and sometimes very steep road you will find small cafes and cosy restaurants.
Near the sultan palace you can visit a church/mosque which is a very important relic of the Christian and Islamic heritage of the town.
You can also visit the area of the castle where many prisoners from the castle’s dungeons met their fate. When the dungeons became overcrowded, the prisoners who had been there the longest were packed together on a little platform at the edge of the castle. One by one the prisoners pushed each other over the edge until only one was left. He then got three shots at throwing a stone over the edge and into the sea. If he failed he too was pushed over the edge with certain death as a result!
The road to the castle is very narrow and busy and therefore care should be taken when walking.