26 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The very unknown ancient city of the Mediterranean; Syedra

Known as Turkey’s holiday paradise, the Antalya region is a treasure when it comes to ancient cities. Close to the Antalya city center, you can find wonderful sites like Perge, Xanthos, Termessos, and other Antalya sites.

A lesser-known ancient city near Antalya is Syedra, which has stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean shore. The historic port city, in the region of ancient Cilicia, welcomes visitors on the slope of the Taurus Mountains along the Mediterranean.

The remains of the ancient city of Syedra are located near Alanya, Turkey’s most famous tourist destination. The ancient city is 20 km east of the city center. They are good proof that there are still many intriguing ruins to be uncovered in Turkey, especially so near to where millions of visitors spend their vacations each year.

The ruins of the ancient city of Syedra are surrounded by city walls and monumental rocks. Among the most important buildings that have been preserved are the impressive baths, a gymnasium, a colonnaded street, five water cisterns, an ancient temple, a Byzantine church, and an olive oil workshop.

Ancient city of Syedra. Photo: Wikipedia

 It is still possible to see the remains of Roman-era homes and workshops. Additionally, there is a fascinating cave where early Christian baptisms took place. Fragments of the frescoes that were used to adorn it may still be seen on the walls.

The history of Syedra

Syedreon was founded in the 7th century BC on the western frontier of the Cilician Region and abandoned in the 13th century AD. It is situated on a tall hill near the seashore, 400 meters above sea level.

Syedra was situated on the dividing line between Pamfilia and Cilicia, two significant geographic areas. During the Byzantine period, the city was at its peak. It fell out of favor under the Seljuk reign.

There is not a lot of information regarding the city of Syedra in the ancient texts. The Greek historian and geographer Strabo did not mention Syedra while talking about the Cilicia region. The precise information about the history of the city is that the name of the city, which was called “Syedreon” in ancient times, appeared on the coins minted during the reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius. Coins continued to be minted until the reign of Emperor Gallienus.

A view from the ruins of the ancient city of Syedra, Antalya, southern Turkey
A view from the ruins of the ancient city of Syedra, Antalya, southern Turkey.

Another certain information about the history of the city is that it constantly had to battle the pirates. In the 2nd century Karakesion (today Alanya) was constantly attacked by pirates. One of the pirates, Diadoto’s Tryphon, captured Alanya and made it his base. At the same time, the Syedra residents knew how to successfully defend themselves against the attacks. It could be due to the city’s convenient location. From here you can see large areas of the sea and the entire surrounding area.

The ancient city of Syedra is located on a vast territory. You can see a 10-meter-long street with columns of 250 meters. Numerous inscriptions containing information about sports events indicate that the city was one of the main sports centers of the region in ancient times.

There are two inscriptions that we can get an idea about the history of the city. One of them is the inscription prepared from the letters of thanks sent to the people of the city by Emperor Septimius Severus in 194 A.D. In the inscription, the emperor celebrates the people of Syedra, who resisted the bandits and heathens attacking the city. Another historical document is the inscription written to honor Claudiane Biacliane, who is believed to be one of the leading women of Syedra.

A view from the ruins of the ancient city of Syedra, Antalya, southern Turkey

Historical ruins

Syedra was a typical Roman settlement with many ruins that survived until today. The monumental gate at the entrance of the city is still standing. It is possible to see the ruins of the fortification walls surrounding the city.

The basilica structure is the first significant structure you will come upon. A massive storehouse that was utilized as a cistern may be found just below the basilica. A 250-meter-long colonnaded boulevard and several magnificent structures surround it. It was previously the city’s social hub and a gathering place for inhabitants.

The stoas here were covered with roofs to protect people from the sun and rain. A bath building is present on the city’s eastern side. Some of the mosaic flooring still exists. The imperial necropolis is located to the southwest of the city.

As you climb the hill, the view gets more magnificent. From the acropolis, you can overlook banana gardens and Alanya Castle as you stare out to sea.

How to get to Syedra Ancient City?

The ruins of Syedra are located on the top of Asar Hill, 400 meters above sea level. The nearest settlement is called Seki and belongs to the Alanya region. Syedra is located within the borders of the Seki village on the 20th kilometer of the Alanya-Gazipasa highway. Distance Syedra Alanya is 35 km.

There is no public transport to the ancient city of Syedra, and local travel agencies do not arrange travel, so you need to rent a car or walk uphill on the D400 coastal route to visit this location.

Related Articles

Archaeologists find an Anglo-Saxon church at Stoke Mandeville excavation site

13 September 2021

13 September 2021

Archaeologists working on the HS2 project found the remains of an Anglo-Saxon church during their excavations at the former St...

The Oldest Known Carvel-Built Shipwreck in the Nordic Region Found

6 March 2025

6 March 2025

Maritime archaeologists from the Museum of Wrecks (Vrak) in Stockholm have made a groundbreaking discovery off the coast of Sweden:...

Evidence of a 1500-year-old Byzantine church found on the beach of Ashdod, Israel

22 February 2022

22 February 2022

Recent rain in Israel has unearthed the remains of a marble pillar dating to around 1,500 years ago on a...

An Elamite clay tablet has been discovered in Burnt City

6 January 2022

6 January 2022

An Elamite clay tablet was discovered within the Burnt City by a team of Iranian, Italian, and Serbian archeologists. Called...

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of giant rhino

18 June 2021

18 June 2021

Paleontologists studying in China have found a new species of gigantic rhinoceros, the world’s biggest land animal. According to a...

1500-year-old Stunning Pendant Amulet Depicting the Prophet Solomon Spearing the Devil on Horseback Found in Türkiye

15 November 2024

15 November 2024

During the excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Eskipazar district of Karabük, Türkiye, an amulet from the 5th...

Truncated conical tombs 3,000 years old found in the Chapultepec Forest

26 November 2023

26 November 2023

Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) unearthed 10 truncated conical tombs, approximately 3,000 years old, at...

Exploring the life story of a high-status woman from isotope data in Hungary’s largest Bronze Age cemetery

29 July 2021

29 July 2021

Researchers examined 29 tombs from Szigetszentmiklós-Ürgehegy, one of Hungary’s largest Middle Bronze Age cemeteries, and one of them, a high-status...

Ancient Footprints Offer Evidence Humans Wore Shoes 148,000 Years Ago

12 September 2023

12 September 2023

A new analysis of ancient footprints in South Africa suggests that the humans who made these tracks might have been...

A 1,600-year-old church has been discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Priene

19 October 2021

19 October 2021

A 1,600-year-old historical church was unearthed during the excavations in the Ancient City of Priene, located in the western province...

In southern Turkey, an ancient quake-damaged structure was discovered

9 November 2021

9 November 2021

In the ancient city of Perre in southeastern Turkey, a building damaged in an earthquake believed to have happened in...

HS2 archaeologists discover Romanization of Iron Age village in Britain

12 January 2022

12 January 2022

Archaeologists have uncovered a vast Roman trading town on Britain’s HS2 high-speed rail route. Evidence found during a dig of...

Iron Age Ingenuity: Unique Dacian Stonemasons’ Tools Discovered in Romania

10 May 2025

10 May 2025

An extraordinary discovery in a Romanian forest near the hill of Măgura Călanului has unveiled a unique set of 15...

Ancient Hebrew “Incantation Bowls” discovered in a home in Israel

8 March 2022

8 March 2022

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said Monday that 1,500-year-old magical “incantation bowls” and other rare and ornate bone and ivory...

Remarkable Roman mosaic discovered near London Bridge in Southwark

22 February 2022

22 February 2022

A team of archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology have announced the discovery well-preserved Roman mosaic that may have...