Alarahan - the antique Caravanserai
The Cervanserai Alarahan, being built in the middle ages, today can be seen as a combination between being a cultural monument and a modern meeting point for visitors. After finishing half of the way between Manavgat and Alanya on the highway you may find the small traffic sign directing you to Alarahan. If you are guest in one of the modern hotels or clubs next to Alarapark region or just a passing traveler, present yourself a small gift: Take a short break at the Alarahan.
The symbol´s of Alarahan
- Next to and at the caravansary you may allways find these three symbols:
- the head of a lion as a symbol for power, strenght and luck for the travellers spending the night over here
- the Mukarnas, 40 triangles crossing into each other as a symbol for protection against melices of all kinds
- and the signs and symbols of the stonecutter for endless life. The stonecutters believed, that a building will last forever because of these signs and that they always can follow life in the caravansary because of their symbols
Evenings in the Caravanserai
Under the leadership of Mr Mehmet Yildiz the caravansary of today is presenting itself as a lifelike museum of the middle ages with a direct connection to today. Thursday and Friday night there is a special evening in the restaurant offering special foods and wines from typical Turkish kitchen in the atmosphere of the historic building.
At about 20.30 your special "Turkish Night" is going to start. Mehmet Yildiz is proud to present an ensemble of excellent dancers and presenters of Turkish folk in traditional as well as modern interpretations. In danced pictures the story of a bride is shown who cannot decide between her rich and powerful boyfriend always bringing presents and the poor fellow who can just offer his love..... For sure she will decide for the rose, the love, in the end. But really nicely presented in dances.
It is worth spending a night over here.
After this event you may watch the belly dancers show in your hotel in a much more critical way because now you know how the single figures should be danced.
The History
One of the most interesting but unfortunately often forgotten sights of the Alanya area is Alara Castle near the town of Alarahan. The impressive castle is built on a conical shaped rock, which is so steep that all potential conquerors were frightened by the sight alone.
The only way to get to the castle is through secret tunnels in the rock. Even today these tunnels are the only way up. Hence a torch, sensible shoes and great care are essential for those who want to climb through the tunnels all the way to the castle, which takes about 45 minutes. As an incentive and reward, a fantastic castle and magnificent view awaits you at the top.
We do not know exactly, when and who is responsible for this castle, but it is said that Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, after he had conquered the castle of Alanya on the way back home to Antalya found this castle. At that time the brother of Kyr Varts was the ruler of Alara castle. The Sultan at least forced him to hand out the castle. The army of the Sultan was much too powerful to defend the castle in long term view, so Kyr Vart decided to give up. Because of all that pressure he got ill and little later died.
Caravanserai ALARAHAN
Below Alara Castle there are the Alara River and the Alarahan Caravansary, which dates back to about 1200. Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad ordered his workers to build the caravansary as a breakpoint between Antalya and Alanya or even Konya. The signs on the portal at the northern walls mention 1231 and 1232. In the past the caravans made a final stop here before they reached the ocean and the town of Alaiye nowadays called Alanya.
The big portal in the northern wall leads to the entry hall, which as well is leading into an open space passing a second gate. Above the entry you can see some Arabian signs together with the symbols of power of Alaeddin Keykubat - the lion. To the East and the West of the open space you will find four symmetrical rooms and three open spots for meeting. Each of the rooms had own system for fresh air and in the back a small window to the open space so the travelers could talk to their servants or watch their animals.
For sure there was a spring within the caravansary, a public bath and a mosque. In 1944 this place was restored by the government and again between 1998 and 2000 from private sponsors completely restored in the original way.