Termessos Ancient City is one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey. It is on Korkuteli Road, 30 km northwest of Antalya. The city is at an average altitude of 1150 meters above sea level. It was established in the southwest of Güllük Mountain. Termessos is hidden among many wild plants resembling a botanical park and covered with dense pine forests. It has a unique atmosphere that impresses its visitors with its peaceful and untouched appearance. Due to its natural and historical riches, the city has been included in the national park that bears its name.
Termessos Ancient City was founded by the Solims, descendants of the Luwians, one of the oldest peoples of Anatolia. It came to an important position in history thanks to the fact that its people did not surrender their cities by making a strong defense against Alexander the Great, who besieged the city in 333 BC. It was approved by the Roman Senate that Termessos, which had cooperation with Rome, was independent in its internal affairs. There is no clear information about the city's situation, which seems to have preserved its independence with the coins it minted during the Roman Imperial Period, and after the Byzantine Period. The city did not see a new settlement after it was abandoned. It has been well preserved until today.
The city's ruins started with the Hellenistic period wall located near Yenicekahve, continuing up to the peaks of Güllük Mountain. When the road to the city is followed, the steps and monumental entrance of the temple. It was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian, can be seen. When climbing south from the water source, there is a gymnasium consisting of many rooms and halls, and a columned street in its southwest.
Coming to the plain area, one encounters the part of the city where the official buildings are located. There is the stoa, the agora, and the glamorous theater with a capacity of approximately 5000 people, with its location to the east of the agora, overlooking the Antalya Gulf. Approximately 100 meters southwest of the theater is the partially surviving parliament building. On the plain to the east of the Agora, 5 interconnecting cisterns have unique features in terms of depth and width. The city has many magnificent temples. It is also very rich in terms of the diversity and decorations of its tombs.
Termessos Antique City is one of the most important historical riches of the Döşemealtı district and all of Turkey, which is among the national values that must be seen.
