Antalya archaeological discoveries reveal Herakles Gate and illuminate Hadrian's Gate

Archaeological excavations in the Side Ancient City, located in Antalya's Manavgat district, have revealed the monumental Herakles Gate. Conducted under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s ‘Heritage for the Future Project’, the work included completing excavations on the approximately 390-meter-long B Street.

Excavation Chief Prof. Dr. Feriştah Alanyalı noted that the street featured a stoa dating to the 2nd century AD, which underwent architectural changes in the 5th century AD when it was incorporated into the Bishop's Palace complex. The Herakles Gate is distinguished by reliefs depicting the ‘Twelve Labors of Heracles’, alongside depictions of deities such as Athena, Zeus, Artemis, Hygeia, and Tykhe. These carvings, dated to the early 3rd century AD, appear to have been reused as spolia during the Late Antique period.

Separately, in Antalya's Kaleiçi district, the 1,900-year-old Hadrian's Gate has undergone new lighting work by the Antalya Governor's Office. Built in 130 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian's visit, the white marble triumphal arch remains one of the city's best-preserved historical landmarks.