The antique city, Side that became partially under of today Selimiye is a holiday area in Turkish Riviera. The city is between Antalya and Alanya, in the district of Manavgat of Turkish Province of Antalya. Side has nearly 3500 years old history, this region in the middle south coast was called in antic ear, it was an important harbor city in Pamfilya region in antique ear. Many buildings from antique harbor city are sill standing today. Antique Side is located in a plain peninsula on which top there are harbor plants. The Church historian, Eusebios (the 4th century) states that the establishment date of the city is BC 1405, but antique narration states that Side was built by Kyme from Eolya in nearly BC 7th century. The most important ruins are from Roman Era, the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Other important structures of Side are from the 5th and 6th centuries, when it was a Center of Patriarch. The city was abandoned possibly in the 10th century. In the 12th century an earthquake completely destroyed most of standing buildings. The drink water of Side was supplied from river Manavgat 30 km far from Side through aqueducts. It is possible to see ruins of those aqueducts in many places. The first excavations began in 1947 and continued up to today. Side is taken under prevention by UNESCO in 1966.


This fishing village was explored as holiday area in 1970’s and since that time it had always touristy actions as many places in Turkish Riviera. Selimiye Region was established on some of south section of today antic Side and it is center of Side. There is dense settlement in this region; also it has many antic buildings such as port thermal spring and big thermal spring. North West section of antic region of the city was covered by a sand dune. The five pillars of Apollon-Temple in the port were built again and it composed a nice photo due to explained reasons. There are wide beaches at the both sides of peninsula.

Apollon ve Athena Temples

Right next to Side Port, there are Apollon ve Athena Temples done in 2nd Century A.D. Temple has been devoted to Apollon who was known as the god of light, knowledge and fine arts and this temple has been constructed completely with marble in Corinthian order. Apollon Temple has been restored during the recent years and its friezes ornamented with Medusa heads are eye catching. Right next to it, there is Athena Temple devoted to mother goddess of the city. Area having these two temples has been used as the garden of Basilica in 7th Century. On north-east of Basilica, there is another temple built for Moon God ‘’Men’’ and it attracts the attentions with its semi-circle plan.