Hadrian's Gate
{{Short description|Ancient Roman memorial gate in Antalya, Turkey}}
{{Expand French|Frencharticletitle|date=January 2017|topic=struct}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Hadrian's Gate
|native_name = Üçkapılar
|alternate_name =
|image = 280px
|alt =
|caption = Hadrian's Gate, with original Roman era walkway
|map_type = Turkey
|map_size = 285
|map_alt =
|relief=yes
|coordinates = {{coord|36.88523|30.70851|format=dms|type:landmark_region:TR|display=inline,title}}
|location = Near Muratpaşa, Antalya Province, Turkey
|region = Anatolia
|type = Settlement
|built = Around 150 CE
|abandoned =
|epochs = Roman Empire
|cultures = Roman
|condition = In ruins
| embedded =
}}
Hadrian's Gate ({{langx|tr|Üçkapılar}}, meaning "The Three Gates") is a memorial gate located in Antalya, Turkey, which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who visited the city in 130 CE.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expedia.com/Hadrians-Gate-Antalya.d6068021.Vacation-Attraction|title=Hadrians Gate in Antalya, {{!}} Expedia|website=www.expedia.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-06}} It was later incorporated in the walls that surround the city and harbor, of which it is the only remaining entrance gate today.
The gate was rediscovered by the Irish hydrographer Francis Beaufort in 1817, while commanding on HMS Fridericksteen.{{Cite news|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/turkey/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-hadrians-gate-the-famous-arch-in-antalya/|title=All You Need to Know About Hadrian's Gate, the Famous Arch in Antalya|last=Heckeroth|first=Feride Yalav|work=Culture Trip|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en-US}}
Description
Hadrian's Gate consists of two colonnaded facades, three entry arches rising above four pylons and a tower standing on either side. It is about 8 meters (26.2 feet) high.{{Cite news|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/turkey/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-hadrians-gate-the-famous-arch-in-antalya/|title=All You Need to Know About Hadrian's Gate, the Famous Arch in Antalya|last=Heckeroth|first=Feride Yalav|work=Culture Trip|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en-US}} The Southern Tower, known as the Julia Sancta, is from the Roman era but was likely built independently of the gate.{{Cite web|url=http://turkisharchaeonews.net/object/hadrians-gate-antalya|title=Hadrian's Gate in Antalya {{!}} Turkish Archaeological News|website=turkisharchaeonews.net|date=7 July 2014 |language=en|access-date=2017-07-06}} The bottom section of the Northern Tower is from Roman times, but the upper part was rebuilt in the first half of the thirteenth century AD during the reign of Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I and contains an inscription in Arabic script.{{Cite news|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/turkey/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-hadrians-gate-the-famous-arch-in-antalya/|title=All You Need to Know About Hadrian's Gate, the Famous Arch in Antalya|last=Heckeroth|first=Feride Yalav|work=Culture Trip|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en-US}}
It is considered to be Pamphylia's most beautiful gate. The upper part has three apertures in the shape of a cupola, and except for the pillars (made of granite) is built entirely of white marble. The three passage ways are decorated with floral and rosette reliefs.{{Cite web|url=https://followinghadrian.com/2013/04/20/hadrian-goes-to-attaleia-images-from-hadrians-gate-at-antalya/|title=Hadrian goes to Attaleia – images from Hadrian's Gate at Antalya|last=followinghadrian|date=2013-04-20|website=FOLLOWING HADRIAN|access-date=2017-07-07}} The ornamentation is very striking. The original gate was two stories, and although little is known of the top story, it is believed to have held statues of the emperor and his family.{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelsignposts.com/Turkey/sightseeing/hadrians-gate-antalya|title=Hadrian's Gate {{!}} Hadrian's Arch {{!}} What to See in Antalya|date=2012-02-10|work=Turkey Travel|access-date=2017-07-06|language=en-US}} An entablature on the top of the Gate extends to both sides with a height of 1.28 meters (4.2 feet). It includes a frieze decorated with floral motifs and an ornate cornice with lion heads.{{Cite news|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/turkey/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-hadrians-gate-the-famous-arch-in-antalya/|title=All You Need to Know About Hadrian's Gate, the Famous Arch in Antalya|last=Heckeroth|first=Feride Yalav|work=Culture Trip|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en-US}}
Formerly the city walls enclosed the outside of the gate and it was not used for many years. This may be the reason why it has not been harmed, and it was only revealed when the walls collapsed in the 1950s.{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelsignposts.com/Turkey/sightseeing/hadrians-gate-antalya|title=Hadrian's Gate {{!}} Hadrian's Arch {{!}} What to See in Antalya|date=2012-02-10|work=Turkey Travel|access-date=2017-07-06|language=en-US}} The gate was restored in 1959. The pavement was stripped away to reveal the original Roman era walkway, which can be seen through perspex flooring while walking through the main arch.{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelsignposts.com/Turkey/sightseeing/hadrians-gate-antalya|title=Hadrian's Gate {{!}} Hadrian's Arch {{!}} What to See in Antalya|date=2012-02-10|work=Turkey Travel|access-date=2017-07-06|language=en-US}} Visitors to the Gate can look down and see incredibly deep grooves where the pavement was worn away by countless carts passing in and out of the city.
When the gate was uncovered and restored, a dozen bronze letters were found at the foot of the gate. These letters were part of an inscription honoring Hadrian. As of 2017, the letters are split between different museums and private collections around the world. Nine letters are in Vienna, two are in Berlin, and there are some in England, at the British Museum in London and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.{{Cite web|url=https://followinghadrian.com/2013/04/20/hadrian-goes-to-attaleia-images-from-hadrians-gate-at-antalya/|title=Hadrian goes to Attaleia – images from Hadrian's Gate at Antalya|last=followinghadrian|date=2013-04-20|website=FOLLOWING HADRIAN|access-date=2017-07-07}} It is believed the missing second story would have also held an inscription.
Legends
According to local legend, Sultana Belkis, the Queen of Sheba, is said to have passed under those gates and enjoyed a happy day in the palace in Aspendos on her way to visit King Solomon. However, if she did so, she would have passed through a predecessor version of Hadrian's Gate, as she and Solomon lived approximately a thousand years before Hadrian.
Gallery
File:Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya, Turkey - View Feb 2022.jpg|Hadrian's Gate front view
File:Hadrian's_Gate,_Antalya_01.jpg|Hadrian's Gate back view
File:Hadrian's Gate (cropped).jpg|Hadrian's Gate side view
File:P9271454 Hadrian's Gate Antalya.jpg|Hadrian's Gate arch detail
File:Hadrian's Gate walkway.jpg|Hadrian's Gate walkway (vertical view)
File:Hadrian's Gate walkway grooves.jpg|Hadrian's Gate walkway (horizontal view)
File:Hadrian's Gate - DPLA - d7efb9544e2db56fc9d47f932d9438eb.jpg|Hadrian's Gate, ca. 1880; from the Nicholas Catsimpoolas Collection of the Boston Public Library
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscat|Hadrian's Gate in Antalya|Hadrian's Gate}}
- http://www.turkishclass.com/turkey_pictures_gallery_211 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220307/http://www.turkishclass.com/turkey_pictures_gallery_211 |date=2007-09-27 }} Pictures of the gate.
- [http://www.tourantalya.com/how-to-go/?place=hadrians-gate-uckapilar/ How to go to Hadrian' s Gate]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 2nd century
Category:Ancient Roman triumphal arches
Category:Buildings and structures in Antalya
Category:Tourist attractions in Antalya
Category:Anatolian Seljuk architecture