Monday, October 13, 2025

Alanya / Turkey

HIDRELLEZ CHURCH
It is located in Hıdır İlyas, within the borders of Hacı Mehmetli Village, 10 kilometers away from Alanya center. The church, which is thought to have been built on a slope overlooking the Mediterranean in the early 19th century, is still used by Christian and Muslim visitors for worship. The church, which has a masonry roof, stone walls and a small apse, has a rectangular plan. Inside the church there is a mezzanine floor decorated with wood. The frescoes on the walls are damaged. It is understood from the inscription that the church was repaired in 1873. The inscription exhibited in the Alanya Museum was written in Turkish (Karaman) with the Greek alphabet. The church was closed when Orthodox people living in Alanya and speaking Turkish went to Greece during the exchange in 1924. Another name of the Hıdrellez Church, which has a water spring next to it, is the Agios Georgios Church. Similar churches can also be found in Antalya Kaleiçi. Entrance to the ruins is free.

SARAPSA HANI
It is a 13th century building on the intercity highway 13 kilometers west of Alanya. It was built as a caravanserai on the historical silk road by Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev, who was the Seljuk Sultan between 1236-1246. The walls of the building, which was built on nearly one decare of land, are built with large cut stones. Caravanserai, one of the important accommodation centers of the Middle Ages, is used as an entertainment center today.

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