Attaleia, today's Antalya, was founded in 158 BC by King Attalos II of Pergamon. After him she received the name Attaleia. As the most important port in the wider area, the city was the travel station of the apostle Paul in the 1st century AD, probably around 48 AD. In the Middle Ages Attaleia was known as Satalia.

The gate was built in honour of the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130 AD. Built on four pedestals, with 3 arches and pillars decorated with ornaments, no front can be seen on either side. Overall, however, the object has less the character of a city gate than more that of a Roman triumphal arch. The two towers to the left and right of the building are different: The left one is from Roman times, the right one was built under Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I. (1219- 1238) was built. The gate was restored in 1959. To the left and right of the gate ran the outer city wall.

The Temple of Zeus Serapis

Everywhere in the old town you can see the remains of the inner and outer city walls, which today are used for various purposes - responsibly restored.

Former gatehouse of the inner city wall

Many preserved parts of the inner city wall in particular show that Roman spoils were used to erect them. This often happened during repair work in Byzantine and Seljuk times.

The ancient war and trade port of Attaleia

The city was ruled by Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks in succession. The city flourished under the Romans.
In Byzantine times Antalya was an important centre of Christianity. After the collapse of Byzantine power after the 4th Crusade, the Templars were enfeoffed with the city by the Romans, as both the Papal Legatus and Pope Innocent III confirmed.
In fact, however, the city was owned by a certain Aldobrandino. He was of Greek-Italian descent and is usually referred to in the sources as a buccaneer because he was unable to establish his own dynasty. When Suleiman II, the Sultan of Rum, besieged the city, it could be abolished with the help of Walter von Montbéliard, regent for the minor king of Cyprus, Hugo I. and a great army.
Walter seems to have quickly become unpopular with the Greek people of the city, who rose up against him and called on the Seljuks for help. Presumably Walter had tried to make himself a ruler, as he would later try in Rhodes, and, as a newcomer from France, showed little sensitivity. The Sultan of Rum, Kay Chosrau, moved into Antalya in 1207. After his accession in 1210, Hugo I then negotiated a trade agreement with Kay Khosrau that ensured the safety of Seljuk and Cypriot traders on the southern coast of Anatolia.