Alanya

Antalya, one Turkey's major holiday destinations on the Mediterranean coast, has welcomed more than 3 million tourists since the start of 2021.

Nearly half of the holidaymakers visited the city in July alone, according to a statement the Antalya Governor's Office issued.

At the Ananas Hotel on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, the rooms were cleaned, the pool filled and the sun loungers distanced, as staff prepared to welcome back Russian tourists after nearly 20 months of pandemic-induced closure.

The 640-kilometer coasts of the Mediterranean province of Antalya have great historical and ecological riches under water. Many colorful fish and marine species such as lapin, starfish, jellyfish, sea horse and others have been photographed for a book titled "Sualtı Cenneti Antalya" (Underwater Paradise Antalya.)

The Alanya Museum, where cultural assets belonging to the Neolithic and Hellenistic periods as well as artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuks and Ottoman civilizations are on display, provides information about the ancient Anatolian civilizations.

A group of sportspeople took advantage of the rising waves off southern province of Antalya's Alanya coast in December when many other regions of Turkey battle with cold weather. (AA Photo)

Located in Antalya's Alanya district, the ancient city of Syedra is believed to date back to the ninth century. (İHA Photo)

Antalya, which hosts millions of tourists every year, has generated a revenue of 15 million Turkish Liras in the first 10 months of the year from its 24 stunning museums and archaeological sites under the Culture and Tourism Provincial Directorate, with 1.3 million people visiting these historic sites.

Artifacts belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Anatolian Seljuks period have come to light during the ongoing excavation works in the ancient city of Syedra, which lies in the southern province of Antalya's Alanya district.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Andrii Sybiha has slammed the Mediterranean province of Antalya's Alanya district municipality for playing Katyusha, a patriotic Soviet song, during a roving concert in the town from a bus to mark May 9 Victory Day, when the Soviets defeated Nazi Germany in 1945.

An expropriation price of 727,000 Turkish Liras ($124,000) has been determined for the house complex of an Austrian citizen, who was found guilty of damaging the historical fortification wall of Alanya Castle during construction.