Antalya has a really pretty monument known as the Hadrian's Gate or the Triple Gate. The gate is at the entrance to the Kaleiçi area. It got its first name because back in the 2nd century AD, the Roman Emperor Hadrian visited the city. The second name comes from the fact that the monument has three archways.
History of the Structure
Hadrian's Gate was constructed in 130 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian's visit to Attaleia, now known as Antalya. It was included in the city's walls and became a main entrance.
Stories say Queen of Sheba passed through the gate on her way to meet King Solomon, but this isn't true because these events happened long before the gate was built. The two towers beside the gate are from different times. The southern tower dates back to the Roman era and is likely separate from the gate. It's called the tower of Julia Sancta and has an old inscription.
The northern tower was reconstructed during the reign of Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I in the 13th century. Only the bottom part remains from Roman times, and it has an inscription in Old Turkish language with Arabic script.
Hadrian's Gate was introduced to the Western world by Francis Beaufort in 1817. The gate's higher level mentioned in his diary was likely destroyed later. In the late 19th century, Karol Lanckoronski described the gate as mostly buried and surrounded by new buildings. It was fully uncovered and renovated in the 1950s. Now, it's a popular spot for tourists in Antalya.
Architecture
Hadrian's Gate looks like a Roman victory arch. It has three arches that are all the same size - 4.15 meters wide and 6.18 meters tall at the highest point. The whole thing stands over 8 meters tall from the old ground to the top part.
Both the front and back of the gate have facades with four columns each. It was made mostly of white marble, except for the columns that are granite. The column tops are a mix of Ionic and Corinthian styles.
Above the columns on each side of the gate, there's a structure that is 1.28 meters tall. It includes three parts: a bottom part, a middle part with flowery designs, and a top part. The top part has a fancy design with lion heads. The arched parts over the passageways have designs with flowers and other patterns in squares.
Getting There
Hadrian's Gate is located on Atatürk Boulevard in Antalya's center. You can walk there by exploring the Kaleiçi historical district or take the tram, specifically the Nostalji tram line. The tram passes right next to the monument, with the stop conveniently named Hadrian.
Hotels Around The Hadrian's Gate
Hostel Vague is a hostel with a restaurant. It offers free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace, poolside sun loungers, and a garden. RuinAdalia Hotel - Adults Only is a hotel for adults with an outdoor pool and a restaurant. It provides free parking, free Wi-Fi, a bar, a cafe, and a central location. Hotel Lykia is a hotel with an outdoor pool located in the city center. It includes free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, and a central location. Hotel Mille Kaleiçi is a hotel with a beach bar in the city center. It features free valet parking, free Wi-Fi, and a garden. Falcon 1511 is a hotel with a restaurant in the city center. It offers free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour reception.
Restaurants Near The Hadrian's Gate
Santa Garden Oldtown is famous for its tasty drinks and fun music nights that make for a great dining time. Also, Hasanağa Restaurant is well-known for its delicious buffet meals. It's a good idea to book ahead to eat at Hasanağa because it's so popular. Also, diners can enjoy their food outside in a nice seating area, adding a peaceful vibe to their meal.
Hadrian's Gate is not just an old building; it's a lively place in Antalya where people go for culture and fun. It's surrounded by many hotels and restaurants, so there's something for everyone there. You can visit if you like history or just want to eat somewhere special or stay overnight. Whether you're there to see the old buildings or as a starting point to explore the Kaleiçi district nearby, Hadrian's Gate shows how important Antalya's history and present are.