Attaleia

Attaleia, also known as Attalia in Latin sources, is an ancient port city on the southern coast of Asia Minor, near the modern city of Antalya in Turkey. It occupied a strategic position on the Gulf of Antalya, linking inland Pamphylia with Mediterranean trade routes, and laid the foundation for the modern urban area around Antalya.

Foundation and name: The city was founded in the Hellenistic period, around 150 BCE, by King Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon and named Attaleia in his honor. The name later evolved in Turkish usage into Antalya, the modern name of the city.

History: Under Roman and Byzantine rule, Attaleia developed into a major coastal port with fortifications, a harbor, and facilities for merchants and travelers. It became an episcopal see in late antiquity, reflecting its sustained urban importance. In the medieval era, control of the city shifted to Seljuk and later Ottoman authorities, and it remained an important port hub in the region. The name gradually shifted from Attaleia to Antalya in Turkish usage.

Archaeology and culture: Much of the ancient site lies beneath and around the contemporary city, but the old quarter, Kaleiçi, preserves remnants from Roman, Byzantine, and later periods, including walls, streets, and monuments carried forward by successive empires.

Modern era: Today Antalya is the provincial capital of Antalya Province and a major Turkish tourist center. The city preserves a living urban fabric built around its historic harbor and bazars, with the legacy of Attaleia reflected in local heritage, toponymy, and archaeological remains in and around Kaleiçi.