Located near Seki Village within the borders of Alanya district in Antalya, the ancient city of Syedra is one of the significant settlements of the Rough Cilicia (Cilicia Tracheia) region. Established on a hill approximately 400 meters above sea level, overlooking the sea and stretching down toward the coast, the city’s strategic location made it advantageous in antiquity both for defense and maritime trade.

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Location and Geography

The ancient city of Syedra is located near the village of Seki within the borders of Alanya district, Antalya province. The city is situated approximately 400 meters above sea level on an elevated ridge known by the locals as “Asar Tepe,” and it extends down toward the coast. This location provided Syedra with strategic advantages in antiquity, both in terms of defense and maritime trade. The topography overlooking the Mediterranean not only enhanced the city’s visual impact but also supported its identity as a port city in the ancient period.

History

It is believed that the city derived its name from the Sedre Stream, which formed a natural boundary between the regions of Cilicia and Pamphylia. Ancient sources, urban planning features, and epigraphic evidence indicate that Syedra was part of the geographical region known as Rough Cilicia (Cilicia Tracheia).

Archaeological evidence reveals traces of settlement in Syedra dating back to the Archaic and Hellenistic periods. Particularly, ceramic finds from the Archaic period point to early habitation. However, architectural development and inscriptions became more prominent beginning in the Late Hellenistic period. This phase marked the beginning of more organized urbanization, increased building activities, and the transformation of the area into a more functional settlement.

Syedra reached its peak during the Roman Imperial period, particularly between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD. During this time, architectural activity intensified, and the city was adorned with monumental structures. Among the most notable examples reflecting the prosperity and social life of this era are the Great Bath, frigidarium, and palaestra. The mosaics within the bath complex, especially those depicting the “Twelve Labors of Heracles,” stand out as unique representations of the artistic sensibilities of the time.

The city continued to be inhabited after the Roman period and remained a bishopric center until the 12th century AD. This indicates that Syedra maintained regional significance not only during classical antiquity but also throughout the medieval period. Additionally, a small number of Seljuk-period ceramics recovered through surface surveys suggest that the site was still inhabited into the 13th century.

Systematic excavations, which began in 2019, brought to light structures from the Roman period and their mosaic flooring, providing new insights into the historical development and long-term use of the city. The finds from Syedra contribute significantly to understanding cultural continuity and transformation in the region. The city’s long habitation history places it as a notable site within the layered historical landscape of the Mediterranean.

Economy

In antiquity, Syedra functioned as a port city. This characteristic is supported by its geographic position as well as by ancient sources and epigraphic evidence. Maritime trade played a significant role in the economic life of the city. It is also believed that the rural areas in Syedra’s hinterland were active in agriculture and craft production, contributing both to local consumption and trade through the port. These features positioned Syedra as one of the maritime trade hubs of Rough Cilicia.

Architectural Structures

Among the architectural remains that have survived in Syedra are city walls, an agora, baths, a theater, cisterns, and necropolises. One of the most prominent structures is the Great Bath complex, which includes sections such as the frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium, apodyterium (changing room), and palaestra. The structure represents a typical example of the “bath-gymnasium” architectural type characteristic of the Roman Imperial period.

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The floor mosaics uncovered in the palaestra section were laid in an orthogonal arrangement using the opus tessellatum technique and feature a polychrome design. These mosaics, preserved in the southern, northern, and western corridors, stylistically resemble examples from Anemurium, Antiochia ad Cragum, and Antioch, and are dated to the 3rd century AD.

During Late Antiquity, a square-plan pool was constructed in the center of the palaestra. The floor mosaics of this pool were decorated with white tesserae on a black background. Featuring ivy scrolls and four-pointed star motifs, the mosaics are modest in craftsmanship but rich in symbolic meaning. The construction of the pool is dated to the late 5th or early 6th century AD, suggesting a functional transformation of the structure during this period.

Findings

Among the main archaeological findings uncovered during the excavations are ceramic fragments, architectural elements, column drums, fresco remains, and coins. The most remarkable discoveries are the mosaics revealed in the floors of the palaestra and frigidarium. The frigidarium mosaic, in particular, which depicts the “Twelve Labors of Heracles,” stands out for its figurative narrative and technical execution. The palaestra mosaics, on the other hand, are notable for their geometric compositions and richly patterned borders enhanced by color transitions.

In addition, a coin dating to the reign of Emperor Justin II (AD 565–578) found in the floor of the Late Antique pool provides a significant clue for the dating of the structure. These findings offer important insights into the mosaic art and architectural development of Syedra during the Roman period.

Excavations

Systematic archaeological excavations at Syedra began in 2019 under the direction of the Alanya Museum and with the scientific supervision of Associate Professor Ertuğ Ergürer. The initial work focused on the frigidarium (cold room) of the Great Bath, where a large floor mosaic depicting the “Twelve Labors of Heracles” was uncovered. Measuring 164.2 square meters, this mosaic is notable for both its scale and its figurative composition.

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In the same year, excavations were also carried out in the palaestra (exercise courtyard) located to the east of the bath complex. In this area, geometric-patterned mosaics from the Roman period and a pool structure from Late Antiquity were uncovered. The technical characteristics and design analysis of the mosaics revealed the city’s artistic richness and its connections to the mosaic workshops of the time.

Thanks to its proximity to the coast and elevated position, the ancient city of Syedra held strategic and economic importance in antiquity. The city reached its architectural and artistic peak during the Roman period, particularly noted for its advanced mosaic art. The ongoing excavations today provide valuable information about the city’s historical development and social structure. With its well-preserved mosaics and monumental architecture, Syedra is not only an archaeological site but also a significant cultural heritage area that reflects the historical and artistic memory of the Mediterranean world.