Iskenderun Attractions
South coast (Eastern Mediterranean)
Iskenderun, (formerly known as Alexandretta), the most important Turkish Mediterranean port after Izmir, lies on the south side of the Gulf of Iskenderun within the wooded foothills of the Amanus range, perhaps on the site of the ancient Alexandria Scabiosa.
The present-day town has little to offer the visitor and is very hot in summer. The harbor, the largest and the best on this stretch of coast, and sheltered by the surrounding hills, handles considerable shipping traffic. Around the harbor, which has a large jetty, are various modern installations (grain-stores, etc.).
History
The city of Alexandria, on the Issicus Sinus (Gulf of Issos), was probably founded some time after Alexander the Great's victory in the Battle of Issos (333). The town was intended to be the starting-point of the great caravan routes into Mesopotamia, but after Alexander's death the Seleucids preferred Antiocheia (Antakya) and Seleukeia Piereia. In the third century the town was destroyed by the Persians. In the fourth century it was known as Little Alexandria; the epithet Scabiosa reflects the fact that leprosy was prevalent in the area. After a period of decline under the Ottomans at the end of the 19th century, Iskenderun expanded from an insignificant harbor into the present town.
Iskenderun, (formerly known as Alexandretta), the most important Turkish Mediterranean port after Izmir, lies on the south side of the Gulf of Iskenderun within the wooded foothills of the Amanus range, perhaps on the site of the ancient Alexandria Scabiosa.
The present-day town has little to offer the visitor and is very hot in summer. The harbor, the largest and the best on this stretch of coast, and sheltered by the surrounding hills, handles considerable shipping traffic. Around the harbor, which has a large jetty, are various modern installations (grain-stores, etc.).
History
The city of Alexandria, on the Issicus Sinus (Gulf of Issos), was probably founded some time after Alexander the Great's victory in the Battle of Issos (333). The town was intended to be the starting-point of the great caravan routes into Mesopotamia, but after Alexander's death the Seleucids preferred Antiocheia (Antakya) and Seleukeia Piereia. In the third century the town was destroyed by the Persians. In the fourth century it was known as Little Alexandria; the epithet Scabiosa reflects the fact that leprosy was prevalent in the area. After a period of decline under the Ottomans at the end of the 19th century, Iskenderun expanded from an insignificant harbor into the present town.
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Payas, Turkey
(Near Iskenderun)
The little town of Payas is situated on the former Roman bathing resort of Baiae. Some of the ancient remains can still be seen.
Belen, Turkey
(Near Iskenderun)
Belen (alt. 500m/1,641ft), 14km/9mi southeast of Iskenderun and situated some way up the Topbogazi pass (750m/2461ft), is a summer resort popular with people from Iskenderun. Evilya Çelebi's record (1640) shows that even in the 17th century Arabs and Turks, some of them citizens of Aleppo, used to spend the summer months here. Having been from antiquity a staging post on an old trade route, the town boasts the remains of an aqueduct as well a mosque and caravanserai dating from the 16th century.
Guzelyala, Turkey
(Near Iskenderun)
The houses of Sogukoluk (now Güzelyala) can be seen across the valley to the southwest of Belen. This elegant summer village with its lovely view over the Gulf of Iskenderun, was built in the early 20th century as a holiday retreat for the rich burghers of Aleppo, Antakya, Reyhanli, Kirikhan and Iskenderun. Now it enjoys a less salubrious reputation, frequented by the crews of ships lying in the port of Iskenderun.
Sakal Tutan
600m/660yds northeast of Jonah's Pillar, higher up (altitude: 91m/300ft), are the remains of an Armenian castle which in medieval times protected the pass and provided accommodation for travelers. Its name of Sakal Tutan (Tearer out of beards) refers to the bandits who lay in wait here to attack and plunder caravans. It has also been known, at different times, as Nigrinum, Neghertz (Middle Castle) and Kalatissia.
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