Hadrian’s Gate: Antalya’s Ancient Monument

Hadrian's Gate, locally known as Üçkapılar meaning "The Three Gates," is a monumental triumphal arch erected in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian following his visit to the city in 130 CE. Incorporated later into the defensive walls surrounding the city and its harbor, it stands today as the sole remaining entrance gate from antiquity.

The architectural composition features two colonnaded facades, three entry arches rising above four pylons, and a flanking tower on either side. The southern tower dates from the Roman era, while the lower section of the northern tower is likewise Roman, with its upper portion rebuilt in the first half of the thirteenth century under the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I, bearing an inscription in Arabic script.

Constructed predominantly of white marble—though granite columns are also noted in descriptions—the gate displays striking ornamentation. Its passageways feature floral and rosette reliefs, a 1.28-meter-high entablature with floral friezes, and ornate cornices decorated with lion heads. Although little of the original second story survives, historians believe it once supported statues of the emperor and his family.

For centuries, the gate remained enclosed and hidden by the surrounding city walls, which fortuitously protected it from major structural harm. Early modern travelers such as Evliya Çelebi and Corneille Le Bruyn made no mention of it, and the structure was rediscovered in the early nineteenth century by British naval officers, notably Francis Beaufort in 1812 or 1817.

Nineteenth-century scholarly documentation preceded excavation efforts initiated in 1882 by Mutasarrıf Turhan Paşa, during which surrounding walls were cleared and half the gate was unearthed. When columns collapsed during the digging, pyramid-shaped stone pillars were temporarily added, only to be removed during a major restoration in 1959 that reinstated white marble columns true to the original design.

Due to rising street levels over the centuries, Hadrian's Gate now sits below the modern ground level, requiring visitors to descend stairways to reach it. The 1959 restoration stripped away later paving to expose the original Roman-era walkway, where deep grooves worn by ancient carts remain visible. Recent municipal projects have further enhanced the surrounding pedestrian pathways and integration with the old town.

The monument originally bore a prominent Greek inscription in glowing bronze letters honoring Hadrian. Over the nineteenth century, travelers dispersed these letters across various European collections and museums, including institutions in Vienna, Berlin, London, and Oxford, leaving only fragments such as the partial word "TRAIANω" behind.

Today, visitors to Antalya encounter Hadrian's Gate as a vibrant historical landmark featuring its triple-arched facade, intricate vault carvings, and adjacent ancient towers. The monument actively engages with modern civic life by serving as a central venue for the annual Kaleiçi Old Town Festival, marathon running routes, and local tramway connections.