During ongoing archaeological work at the Hızırlık tower site, researchers uncovered an equestrian street stretching about 800 meters, lined with evenly spaced columns. Arkeonews reported the discovery and its significance to the coastal city’s ancient landscape.
Hıdırlık Tower stands as a storied emblem of Antalya, a resort city in Turkey famed for its rich history. Constructed from yellow-brown stone blocks in the late second century CE, it formed part of the old city walls. The monument has endured multiple restoration campaigns, notably during the Seljuk era and later under the Ottoman Empire. While the tower’s exact original function remains debated, scholars point to fresco fragments and carved details that hint at a tomb or commemorative purpose tied to a notable historical figure.
The recent fieldwork has brought to light a Roman-era street adjacent to the tower, framed by a procession of columns. Current estimates place the street at 800 meters in length, with roughly 100 meters already excavated. Plans for the area include future visitor access through glass viewing panels, accompanied by wooden walkways that will guide tourists across the excavated zone without disturbing the archaeological deposits.
Some sources suggest that the site may have connections to a villa associated with the ruler who helped shape the early Roman Empire, as discussed by scholars familiar with the region. These interpretations reflect the broader mystery surrounding Hızırlık’s long history and its role within Antalya’s ancient urban fabric.