The Ancient City of Hamaxia
Located in the Elikesik region northwest of Alanya, the ancient city of Hamaxia is one of the major archaeological sites in the Alanya area, featuring an ancient fountain, exedras, a necropolis, and the remains of city walls.
About
Hamaxia is a historic settlement located northwest of Alanya that lay within the borders of the Pamphylia Region during antiquity. The ruins in the city, also known locally as Sinekkalesi, indicate that the settlement was inhabited from the Hellenistic Period through the end of the Byzantine Period.
What Is There to See in Hamaxia?
Among the ancient city’s significant ruins are an ancient fountain with a pool in front of it, a spacious exedra with a semicircular plan and seating rows that have survived to the present day, a religious complex, and a necropolis.
The Culture Portal also lists the cult sites of Hermes and Serapis, a tower believed to date to the Hellenistic period, a bathhouse, funerary structures, and city walls among the city’s significant surviving remains. It is noted that the city walls are particularly visible in the northern and western sections.
The History of Hamaxia
According to information conveyed by the ancient geographer Strabo, the region was known for its timber used in shipbuilding, particularly its cedar trees. Strabo’s account also mentions that Marcus Antonius gave the region to Cleopatra.
Inscriptions and archaeological remains indicate that the settlement at Hamaxia spanned a long period. A significant portion of the inscriptions found in the city are honorary inscriptions related to families who lived here.
Necropolis and Historical Remains
In the necropolis area outside the city walls, tomb structures and ossuaries of various sizes have been discovered. The Culture Portal notes that a significant portion of these ossuaries is currently on display at the Alanya Museum.
Visitor Recommendations
Unlike Alanya’s bustling tourist centers, Hamaxia is a route worth considering for those who wish to experience both history and nature in a single trip. Since the ancient city is spread out across open terrain, it is advisable to set aside sufficient time for your visit to comfortably explore the ruins.
