The Alanya Museum

Alanya was settled down on a small peninsula with Taurus Mountains on the north, Mediterranean on the south. As it was on the line between Ancient Pamphylia and Klikya border, sometimes it was called city of Klikya and some times Pamphylia.
The documents describing periods of Alanya in ancient times are quite limited. The studies made by Prof. Dr. Kılıç Kökten in 1957 in Kadrini Cave 12 kms away from city center indicated that the region extends until Upper Paleolitical period (B.C. 20.000-17.000). It is not yet known the time of founfation and the of Alanya. The oldest name of the city known is “Coracesium”. During Byzantium period it was called “Kalonoros”. Upon invasion of the castle by Alaaddin Keykubat I of Seljuki in 13 century(1200-1237), the name of the city was changed into “Alaiyye”. Atatürk gave the name of “Alanya” to the city. When he visited the city in 1935.
The first person mentioning Coracesium is Skylaks, one of the geographer of Antic Age in B.C. 4th century. During this period the city was under reign of Pers civilizations invading most part of Anatolia. The ones seeing and then mentioning the city name in their books contain Strabon, Pir-i Reis, Traveller İbn-i Batuta and Evliya Çelebi. We do not have sufficient information about history of the city during Byzantine period. In A.D. 7th century during Arabic attacks the city defence gained more importance. And in order to defence the city against attacks castle construction was given priority. Therefore most of the castles and churches in Alanya and surrounding are dated from A.D. 6th and 7th century. Alaadding Keykubat I, one of sultans of Seljuki defeated Kyr Vart dynasty having reign in Alanya Castle in 1221 and invaded the castle. The sultan built a house in his name there. Seljuki Empire used Alanya as a second Capital city in addition to Konya and used the city as winter center and made improvement activities therein. Mongol attacks in 1243 and Entrance of Egyptian Memluks into Anatolia weakened Seljuki Empire. Seljuki empire was divided in 1300, and the region passed under reign of Karamanoğulları. In 1427 Alanya was sold to Memluk Sultan for five thousand gold, and then in 1471 the city was included in borders of Ottoman Empire by Mehmet II (The Conqueror). Alanya together with Tarsus was affiliated to Cyprus State in 1571. In 1864 it became apart of Konya Province. In 1868 the city was affiliated to Antalya and in 1871 became a district of this Province.