Fodor's Expert Review Kızıl Kule and Tersane
A minor masterpiece of Mediterranean military architecture, the 100-foot-high Kızıl Kule was built by the Seljuks in 1226 to defend Alanya's harbor and the nearby shipyard known as the tersane. Sophisticated technology for the time was implemented by an architect from Aleppo who was familiar with Crusader castle building. The octagonal redbrick structure includes finely judged angles of fire for archers manning the loopholes, cleverly designed stairs to cut attackers off, and a series of troughs to convey boiling tar and melted lead onto besieging forces.
Today, the Red Tower's passages are a cool relief from the summer heat, and the view from the top is captivating. Don't miss taking the short walk south along the fortified sea walls to the tersane, where waves crash into the old shipyard's five workshops, each under a vaulted stone arch. Ships could be pulled up into each for building or repairs, and the cover was likely also useful for storing war supplies. They now... READ MORE
A minor masterpiece of Mediterranean military architecture, the 100-foot-high Kızıl Kule was built by the Seljuks in 1226 to defend Alanya's harbor and the nearby shipyard known as the tersane. Sophisticated technology for the time was implemented by an architect from Aleppo who was familiar with Crusader castle building. The octagonal redbrick structure includes finely judged angles of fire for archers manning the loopholes, cleverly designed stairs to cut attackers off, and a series of troughs to convey boiling tar and melted lead onto besieging forces.
Today, the Red Tower's passages are a cool relief from the summer heat, and the view from the top is captivating. Don't miss taking the short walk south along the fortified sea walls to the tersane, where waves crash into the old shipyard's five workshops, each under a vaulted stone arch. Ships could be pulled up into each for building or repairs, and the cover was likely also useful for storing war supplies. They now contain replica ship hulls and equipment, with explanations about their construction and use.
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