Alanya Shipyard
Located on the seashore of Alanya Castle, right next to the Red Tower, the Alanya Shipyard is one of Alanya’s most valuable historical structures, thanks to its five-arched architecture and its significance in Seljuk maritime history.
About
The Alanya Shipyard was built near the Red Tower in 1227 during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad I, Sultan of the Anatolian Seljuks. As the Seljuks’ first shipyard on the Mediterranean, it holds a special place in the maritime history of both Alanya and the Anatolian Seljuks.
Architectural Features of the Shipyard
The Alanya Shipyard is a five-bay structure opening onto the sea. The Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism states that the shipyard is approximately 56.5 meters long and 44 meters deep.
The shipyard’s location and architecture were designed to make the most of natural light. At the entrance gate, there is an inscription bearing the coat of arms of Alaeddin Keykubad and adorned with rosettes. On one side of the structure is a prayer room, and on the other is a guard room. In one of the shipyard’s bays, there is a well that has become dry over time.
Its Importance in Seljuk Maritime Affairs
The existence of shipyards in Sinop, opening onto the Black Sea, and in Alanya, opening onto the Mediterranean, during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad was of great importance for the Seljuk Empire’s maritime activities.
Official sources report that following the completion of the Alanya Shipyard, Alaeddin Keykubad came to be known by the title “Sultan of the Two Seas”. The shipyards in Alanya and Sinop facilitated both military and commercial maritime expeditions.
A Tour Including the Red Tower and Tophane
Located right next to the shipyard is one of Alanya’s iconic structures, Kızılkule. Kızılkule was built in 1226 to help protect Alanya Castle and the planned shipyard against potential threats from the sea.
Tophane, located on the other side of the shipyard, is also part of the region’s defense system. Thus, the Red Tower, the Shipyard, and Tophane can all be visited on the same tour route.
Visitor Tips
When visiting the Alanya Shipyard, it makes sense to include the Red Tower in your itinerary. Afterward, you can continue your tour along the walls of the historic peninsula toward Alanya Castle.
Because the shipyard’s five-arched section opening onto the sea is visible, the structure is one of Alanya’s most striking historical sites, particularly for visitors interested in photography.
