|
|
MAHMUTLAR
-
the Turkish-European city
|
|
The
district of Alanya contains sixty-five villages and two small
towns: Avsallar and Mahmutlar. Mahmutlar was the first town municipality
of Alanya (1974). However, the history of Mahmutlar goes far,
far back in time. At least to the 6. century BC – maybe
long before that!
 |
 |
| Older
than the Roman Empire |
A
little younger house, but still old |
|
|
|
| |
|
Within the border of the Mahmutlar area, you find remaining of two
antique cities. Leatres-Leatri, 850 m up in the mountain and Naula
– just a little east of Mahmutlar centre. Both places are
worth a visit for those who enjoy learning history.
Leatres-Leatri (sources: Mahmutlar Belediye & Antalya WS) -
dates back to ancient Rome (44 BC – 476 AD) and Byzantium
period (330 AD - 1453 AD). According to the epigraphs, the city
was founded by Claudius. The important ruins of the town remaining
at present are Cacicella excedra, Agora Basilica, Apollon temple,
Odeon, Emperors' Street and observatory towers. Limestone, which
is a material of this region, and partly marble was used in the
constructions. The metropolis of the city is in the south and the
acropolis is in the southeast. Today it is known that in relation
to this historical town, coins were minted in the names of Trojan
and Empress Herennia Etruscill. Found here churches, baths, cisterns,
various dwellings, a small stadium, a theater, colonnaded streets
and worshipping places. Almost all are in a bad condition. The remnant
next to the stadium is the centre of a church standing with its
side naves and abscissa and having traces of red and light blue
coloured frescoes in the interior. The innumerous inscriptions and
the reliefs depicting the claws of an eagle and ox heads often seen
in these ruins inherently takes one back deep into history. According
to the inscriptions that are available, this area lived its best
period between the first and third centuries. The temples that the
city had between these centuries are Zeus-Megistos, Apollon and
Caesar.
|
Naula
(sources: Mahmutlar Belediye & Akmedanmed) – has some
ruins dating back to Byzantium period such as a theatre, a temple,
a columned street, two observatory towers, a hole used to keep
wild animals, two fountains, reflects all Roman civic features.
Naula, mentioned as the port of Leatres in the ancient sources,
lies concealed behind the summer resort houses by the coastal
road in Mahmutlar district and, surrounded by banana plantations,
the site as two-storied tower-like structures rising upon the
fortifications. The city walls were built from slate stone and
brick masonry. Four churches identified within the city are noteworthy
for their monumental size. Church A, all that remains is its apse
wall, which carries traces of wall paintings. Church B, its apse,
south and north walls remain still standing. This monumental structure
has a length of approximately 20 m and the walls are plastered
and traces of wall paintings are discernible in places. A niche
in the southeast wall of the apse should have been used as a prothesis.
To the west of the naos and off the axis of this church is a two-storied
building with windows. Church C is located today within the garden
of a village house. Only its apse is standing and there is no
other evidence regarding this structure. Church D is located in
the back yard of a village house, by the start of the banana plantation.
Only its apse and part of the north wall remain and the apse has
a twin window. Tesserae on the ground suggest the presence of
an original mosaic floor, concealed beneath the earth filling.
Our first observations and impressions based on the materials
and masonry techniques are that the church and the city walls
were constructed at the same time. The fifth church, whose existence
is known from the sources, should be identified next year.
If you want to read more, here is a Turkish/English
document:
|
|
|
|
