Side is a 350-400 meter wide peninsula located on the coast of Antalya’s Manavgat district. It is 75 km away from the city center.  It was the most important port city of the Pamphylia region. The name Side means “pomegranate” in Anatolian language. According to some inscriptions, this information dates back to the Hittites in the history of Side. According to some sources, VII BC.

It was founded over a century ago and has been under the domination of many civilizations over time. According to the Peace of Apameia made in 188 BC, Pamphylia and Side were given to the kingdom of Pergamum. On the other hand, Side gained its independence in a short time and experienced one of its brightest periods. Side has become an important cultural center in the Eastern Mediterranean. Later, it was under pirate invasion.

After the Roman Consul Publius Servilius cleared the pirates, the region was now connected to the Roman Empire, and during this period, Side experienced one of its brightest periods, especially with the slave trade.  V. and VI. Side, which experienced its third and last bright period in the 20th century, became the capital of the Eastern Pamphylia Metropolitanate.

The city, which was later weakened by the Arab raids, was mentioned by the Byzantine Emperor Konstansinos Porphyrogennetos as a nest of pirates in his work “De Thematibus”. Arab Geographer Idrisi referred to Side as “Burned Antalya”. Selimiye village was founded by Cretan immigrants on the ruins of Side, known as a trade and port city. It merged with another village and received municipality status. XV.

It was definitely annexed to Turkish territory in the 16th century, but since the Ottomans and Seljuks did not live in Side, there are not many works belonging to them. Side Ancient Theatre, which is unique in Anatolia in terms of its structure and plan among the many riches of history, has become an important part of the Side Ancient City with its capacity of 17 thousand people.