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KOPRULU NATIONAL
PARK
Northeast of Antalya, at the turn off for Tasagil and
Beskonak, is the scenic route that leads to the
Koprulu Canyon National Park. The twisting road
crisscrosses over mountain streams and passes through
virgin forests.
It
is often a slow drive as the view at every turn is
more beautiful than the last. The park, 92km from
Antalya, is a valley of wild beauty rich in Hora and
fauna. The canyon stretches for 14km along the Kopru
River and is 400 meters deep in some places. Fish
restaurants dot the rest areas. The Roman Oluk Bridge,
which spans the canyon, and the Bugrum Bridge over the
Kocadere stream, are engineering feats of antiquity.
From this park you can make two possible excursions to
the ancient city of Selge and to the Dedegol
Mountains. Dedegol, the highest peak in this mountain
range rises to 2,992 meters. An important city of
ancient Pisidia, Altinkaya (Selge), northwest of the
KopruIu Canyon National Park, is reached by a winding
mountain road. The city walls, towers, cisterns,
temple to Zeus, agora, stadium, theater, gymnasium and
necropolis remain from this commercial city that stood
at an elevation of 950 meters. Historians verify that
Selge had direct trade with Antalya, which brought it
prosperity Although the Manavgat Waterfalls are not
high, milky white, foaming water rushes powerfully
over the rocks. Next to the waterfalls shady tea
gardens and restaurants make the falls a pleasant,
cool resting spot, especially welcome after a day of
sightseeing. You can take a delightful boat trip up
the Manavgat River to explore this lovely area further. |
