Side Monumental Gate

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volkan gül

Level 4 Local Expert

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Никита

Level 25 Local Expert

The monumental Gate of Side (Vespasian's Gate): Historical background This gate is one of the most impressive grand entrances that have been preserved in Turkey since ancient times. --- 1. General meaning and location · Function: The gate served as the main entrance on the west side of the city, connecting the port area and the main colonnaded street with the city's public center, the Agora and the Theater. · Location: They are located in the western part of the city, directly adjacent to the north side of the Bolshoi Theater and being the entrance to the Agora. It was a strategically important place where the key routes of the city converged. 2. Historical context and dating · Construction period: The gate was built in the Roman period, around the 70s of our era. · Dedication: The Vespasian Gate received its name in honor of the Roman Emperor Vespasian (reign 69-79 A.D.). It was a sign of the city's loyalty to the Roman government and gratitude for the prosperity that Side experienced during this period. · The era of prosperity: The construction of such monumental structures coincided with the "Golden Age" of Side, when the city, being an important port and center of trade (including slaves), possessed significant financial resources. 3. Architecture and description The Vespasian Gate is a magnificent example of Roman monumental architecture, combining the power of elegant decor. · Three-span arch: Originally the gate was a triple arch (triforum). This meant that they had one central, wide passage for chariots and important people, and two side, narrower ones for pedestrians. This design was the standard for Roman triumphal arches and monumental gates throughout the empire. · Decor and decorations: · Niches and statues: The facades of the gates were richly decorated with deep niches containing marble statues. These statues probably depicted the emperor, his family members, gods and other significant figures, which emphasized the power of Rome and the status of the city. · Columns: The niches were framed by elegant columns with Corinthian capitals, which did not carry a structural load, but served exclusively for decorative decoration (semi-columns). · Carved ornaments: The architraves and friezes of the gates were covered with carvings with floral and geometric ornaments. · Multi-tiered structure: Like many Roman arches, the gates were probably two-tiered. The arches of the aisles themselves were located on the first tier, and the second tier was an attic — a solid base wall on which additional statues or commemorative inscriptions (dedicatory cartouches) could be placed. 4. Role in urban infrastructure and symbolic significance · Connecting link: The Vespasian Gate was not just an entrance to the city, but a key node connecting the three main public spaces of Side: the Main Street, the Theater and the Agora. After passing through them, a person got right into the heart of public life. · A symbol of power: Their monumentality was supposed to make an indelible impression on everyone who arrived in the city by sea or by land. They symbolized wealth, power, and loyalty to the Roman Empire. · Triumphal character: Although it was a city gate, its architecture largely repeated the triumphal arches erected in honor of military victories. This emphasized Side's role as a "victorious city," prosperous and powerful. 5. Current status · To this day, mainly the central arch and part of the left one have been preserved. The right passage and most of the second tier collapsed. · Nevertheless, even in the ruins, the scale and splendor of the gates are amazing. Niches for statues, bases of columns and massive stone blocks are clearly visible. · A visit to the Vespasian Gate is included in the standard tour of the ruins of Side and is a mandatory point for understanding the urban structure of the ancient city. --- Bottom line: The monumental Side Gate (Vespasian's Gate) is not just a passage in the wall. It is a grandiose monument of the Roman era, which served as an important architectural element of urban planning, as well as a powerful political statement, and a symbol of the golden age of one of the most significant ports of Pamphylia.

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Manysim

Level 7 Local Expert

The archaeological pearl of Turkey, the opportunity to see ancient Greek and Roman buildings with your own eyes: the largest preserved amphitheater in Turkey and majestic columns on the very seashore are what remains of the temple of Apollo, built back in the 2nd century BC. You can walk with pleasure through the glass streets of the city, looking at the artifacts of antiquity. A beautiful, atmospheric place that is definitely worth your attention 📍There is something to see 📍Easy to get on your own 📍 The difficulty is equal to walking Feels like you 're in Greece You can get there by public transport with a transfer in Manavgat👌

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Enatrix

Level 5 Local Expert

An amazing place of the ancient era, a beautiful view, beautifully preserved historical monuments. The attitude of people is a little depressing, there is often scattered debris, and some construction sites are on top of destroyed columns, many broken antique columns are lying in a landfill with construction debris(((

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Юлия

Level 17 Local Expert

Impressive. If possible, be sure to visit. I had a lot of fun walking around the old town. There is a Side Museum nearby, the payment is reasonable. I reached the antique fountain I walked without an excursion.

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Гульнара Файзылхакова

Level 9 Local Expert

Antique Side is a free open-air museum. I recommend a visit. We walked for two days, I would like more. It is a 10-minute walk from our hotel along the embankment.

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Павел Вычигин

Level 26 Local Expert

A beautiful monument of antiquity!And it looks more majestic if you think about how old he is.You can take a picture nearby, admire and touch.It's a very cool place.Be sure to visit!

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Сергей

Level 11 Local Expert

The gateway to the ancient ancient city. A very powerful place, steeped in history. It's interesting to take a walk and explore everything. The ancient temple could not be viewed, it was closed for reconstruction.

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Елена Б.

Level 30 Local Expert

How beautiful is the entrance to the center of old Side! Near the amphitheater, the museum, the sea! The gate was built in the 1st century AD in honor of Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus. The Arc de Triomphe is the greatness of bygone eras.

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таисия Сотникова

Level 7 Local Expert

An unrealistically beautiful place ! I recommend everyone to visit it! The view, the architecture, the huge number of seals! The ancient city is beautiful

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Марина С.

Level 9 Local Expert

Beautiful place, gorgeous lighting in the evening. Go both in the afternoon and in the evening.

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Том Штерн

Level 30 Local Expert

It's beautiful, it's a very strong place. Everyone understands that restoration is now in full swing and there is little left of the original, but nevertheless, this is a grandiose structure that needs to be protected and restored. I advise you to visit.

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Дмитрий Чапцев

Level 14 Local Expert

Impressive gates, especially if you look at how the ancient city looked earlier. The location is very huge and beautiful, it takes several hours of walking and leaves a wonderful feeling (and beautiful photos)

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Александр К

Level 15 Local Expert

There is a fountain in the photo, it is very interesting to see and touch the history. Old foundations are used in the construction of new buildings. The atmosphere is mesmerizing.

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Тимур Трофимов

Level 6 Local Expert

A place where history can be touched with your hands.

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Тимур Хассан

Level 24 Local Expert

A very impressive structure that has stood for two millennia. Lovers of everything historical will definitely like it

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Ирина Мишина

Level 5 Local Expert

It's a very atmospheric and beautiful place. To plunge into the ancient world, to touch the history is unforgettable! 😍

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Евгений Язвенко

Level 11 Local Expert

A beautiful historical place. At sunset, the temple of Apollo is divinely beautiful. The price for Visiting the amphitheater is a little too high, but this did not stop us on our second visit!

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Диана Сударева

Level 7 Local Expert

They look monumental! Photos are better during the day, but you can get burned. There is a backlight in the evening

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Кристина М.

Level 5 Local Expert

It is beautiful, located on the way to the temple of Apollo, past the museum and the amphitheater. Cars pass through the gate, you can walk.

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Игорь Мушкатов

Level 11 Local Expert

You can touch the hand of antiquity! It's here! Everything is very beautiful and a masterpiece!

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Алевтина Тимофеева

Level 9 Local Expert

It is impossible to describe an ancient city, you need to visit it, plunge into history, slow down... It's very beautiful, it's good that everything was saved! We were without a tour, walking on our own, delighted))

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Татьяна Т

Level 8 Local Expert

You stand in the middle of these ruins, and you think that people tried to build thousands of years ago and all this has passed through the centuries. Such beauty, mosaics, sculptures. Very interesting.

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Наталья Коньшина

Level 6 Local Expert

It's a great place! I advise everyone, you should definitely visit

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tolmachev-659

Level 19 Local Expert

Just great! The fundamentality is striking. Two thousand years ago, they could build!!!

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Максим

Level 30 Local Expert

A very beautiful gate. This is the gateway to the city. Nearby is the entrance to the Side Museum and the Side Amphitheater

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Алексей Асеев

Level 11 Local Expert

It's a beautiful place, but the entrance to the amphitheater is unreasonably expensive. There is nowhere to walk 20 meters to the right and also to the left)) for this reason, here are the photos) well, if you have a desire, you can go)

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Роман Шнайдер

Level 7 Local Expert

A beautiful place, both day and night, the backlight works, but of course it is less visible, for those who are for the first time it is probably better, of course, with a guide, there is a lot to see around the side)

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Дмитрий Михайлов

Level 10 Local Expert

It's beautiful, I really liked the arch, history intersects with modernity.

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Никита Смотрящий

Level 7 Local Expert

It is a very interesting place, there is a place to walk, there is something to see. Honestly, it's interesting for the first or second time, then I just want to walk around the old town more.Cafes with freshly squeezed juice (Orange, pomegranate) are everywhere

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Ivan

Level 7 Local Expert

It's a wonderful place, especially at sunset.

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Алексей Новосёлов

Level 7 Local Expert

The famous main city gate, perfectly preserved

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Инкогнито 6666

Level 4 Local Expert

It's the end of 2025. And if you have never visited Side yet. Plan it. Do not delay. The story of the seaside… You'll like it. You can talk about this place, but it's better to see everything with your own eyes. This is not an advertisement. It's just a desire to go back there again and again. I wish you all bright and kind impressions.

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Влад 65

Level 9 Local Expert

Perhaps one of the best attractions in Side. The passage to the amphitheater is expensive, but in Turkey now everything is far from cheap. You don't have to take the tour, we stopped by in a rented car.

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Регина Шульгина

Level 8 Local Expert

It's a great place, the photos turned out to be very colorful.

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Миша Тягачев

Level 3 Local Expert

It was very interesting when I was there, there are a lot of old buildings and they are very suitable for photos.I advise everyone to visit it at least once in their life!

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Наталья Карпухина

Level 6 Local Expert

Good. But it's impossible to take a picture during rush hours. Cars go on and on

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Марина Городнова

Level 30 Local Expert

Go and watch. Be sure to read about this place before or after :) . For lovers of ancient and world history, for connoisseurs of archaeological artifacts! We recommend walking, otherwise you risk driving a car quickly and missing it …

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Вячеслав Степанкевич

Level 15 Local Expert

A wonderful historical place, a monument to bygone eras. The legacy of Antiquity and Rome in Asia Minor.

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Александр

Level 7 Local Expert

Monumental, that's for sure!) I was at a close time of the day, late in the evening. I wish there were more lights.

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Dmitri Li

Level 10 Local Expert

The ruins are beautiful and the old town is being reconstructed

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Наталья Мельникова

Level 8 Local Expert

Beautiful landmark , clean , lots of poppies

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Юлия И.

Level 7 Local Expert

A beautiful atmospheric place, I recommend you to visit

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Сергей А.

Level 6 Local Expert

It's monumental, there's a lot to see! It is somewhat similar to the Crimean Chersonese. )

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Андрей Воронов

Level 14 Local Expert

In Side, you can look at everything for a sooo long time.The amphitheater is no exception, how this beauty has been preserved is simply a miracle.We went every evening, after dinner.

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Катя

Level 7 Local Expert

Pleasure for the eyes 🫠

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