One of the most beautiful and iconic places in Antalya is the monumental Hadrian's Gate leading to the old city of Kaleici. The second name of the monument is "Triple Gate" (in Turkish Üç kapılar). If the first name of the monument reminds us of its ancient history, then the second one describes its appearance, consisting of three arches, well.

Built in memory of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the gate has managed to survive the test of time and is ready to please the modern tourist. What is the history of this structure? What interesting things will an inquisitive traveler find in this place? We will try to figure it all out.

Be more attentive

If you manage to visit this landmark, pay attention to the middle arch. On the stone pavement you will clearly see deep furrows. If you turn on your imagination, you can imagine how here, 2 thousand years ago, chariots of noble persons or carts of merchants loaded with goods from all over Asia Minor passed through the gate.

When walking around the area, watch your step: the rocky surface has many uneven areas that can cause you to fall or twist your ankle.

Also, note that the gates are located on a depression. The space in front of and behind the gates rises by about 2 meters, indicating a rich cultural layer that has accumulated over 2,000 years. I think that if you excavate the area around the gates, you can find many historical artifacts.

Architecture

Hadrian's Gate is a typical Roman triumphal arch. The three openings are the same size: 4.15 meters wide and 6.18 meters high from the bottom to the top of the vault. The entire structure is a little over 8 meters high from the sidewalk to the top of the entablature, that is, the upper beam ceiling.

Both the front and back sides of the gate are decorated with facades consisting of four columns each. The monument was built of white marble, with the exception of the granite columns. The capitals of the columns are of a complex order, that is, they combine a spiral curl with acanthus leaves. The upper beam ceiling above the colonnades, extending on both sides of the gate, is 1.28 meters high and consists of an architrave, a low frieze decorated with floral motifs and a cornice. The rich decoration of the cornice represents, among other things, the heads of lions. Lions in the ornament are not a rare decoration of monuments, as a symbol of strength and greatness.

The inner surfaces of the barrel-shaped vaults above the arched passages are decorated with rectangular patterns, each of which has a distinct ornament - floral motifs and rosettes. In every detail, the hand of skilled craftsmen is visible, able to turn lifeless stone into a masterpiece with a simple tool.

The left and right arches were probably pedestrian, and chariots and other horse-drawn transport passed through the central one into the city.

How to get there

Hadrian's Gate is located in the center of Antalya on Ataturk Boulevard, which tourists call Palm Street. You can get there on foot, during a walk through the historical district of Kaleici, or by tram. The tram line, called the "Nostalgia Tram", passes right in front of the monument, and the stop is called, accordingly, Hadrian. 

Even if you did not have time to visit Hadrian's Gate during the day, it does not matter! In the evening, when the sun sets, the backlight turns on, which makes the place even more interesting and romantic.