Antalya (formerly known as Adalia or Attalia; from Pamphylian
Greek: Αττάλεια Attáleia) is a big city on the Mediterranean
coast of southwestern Turkey, and the capital city of Antalya
Province. Situated on coastal cliffs, Antalya is surrounded by
mountains. Development and investment, began in the 1970s, have
transformed the city into a popular vacation destination. It is
uncertain when the site of the current city was first inhabited.
Attalos II, king of Pergamon, was believed to have founded the
city around 150 BC, naming it Attalia and selecting it as a
naval base for his powerful fleet. However, excavations in 2008
in the Doğu Garajı district of Antalya have uncovered remains
dating even to the 3rd century BC, suggesting that the city was
founded earlier than previously supposed. Antalya became part of
the Roman Republic in 133 BC when King Attalos III of Pergamum
willed his kingdom to Rome at his death. The city grew and
prospered during the Ancient Roman period. Christianity came to
this place and star