Importance and Protection of Ancient Roads in Antalya
Antalya is a region known for its historical and cultural richness, and attracts attention with its ancient roads and ruins. While these roads carry the traces of past civilizations, they also have great importance in terms of tourism today. The 1800-year-old road between the ancient cities of Perge and Magydus is a part of this heritage. However, various measures must be taken to protect this valuable cultural heritage.
History of the Ancient Road
The ancient road was built in the 2nd century AD and provides transportation between Perge and the port city of Magydus on the Lara coast. This road is considered an important structure reflecting the transportation culture of the period. There are wheel tracks that have survived to the present day on this 6-meter wide road. This situation provides important information about transportation methods in the ancient period.
Damages on the Ancient Road
Recently, the construction of a construction site on the ancient road between the ancient cities of Perge and Magydus in Antalya and the accumulation of tons of sand and gravel have caused the destruction of this cultural heritage. The sand accumulated on the southern part of the ancient road covers an area of approximately 3 meters wide. This situation poses a serious threat to the preservation of the historical road.
Precautions to be taken for the protection of cultural heritage
Archaeologist Nezih Başgelen, director of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Monitoring Platform, emphasizes that the illegal construction site and piled-up materials on the ancient road must be removed immediately. The Preservation Board made a decision on this issue on November 15, but despite two weeks passing, the implementation phase has not yet begun. The preservation of the ancient road will be possible not only with the support of local governments but also the public.
The Future of the Ancient Way
This ancient road is an important part of the ancient road network of the Pamphylia region. The fact that it was built by cutting rocks makes this structure unique. In the future, the preservation of this road as an archaeological park is of great importance both in terms of tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage. Being close to the center of Antalya and the coastal tourism areas increases the potential of this road to attract visitors.
The Role of Public Opinion
The public must be sensitive to such destruction and support conservation efforts. The press and public play an important role in this process. Supporting efforts to prevent destruction will contribute to the preservation of the ancient road.
Initiatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has begun to take the necessary steps to protect the ancient road. Measures are being taken, such as removing sand and gravel piled up without permission and initiating legal action against those responsible. The Ministry provides the necessary support for the local government to implement these decisions.
As a result
The ancient roads of Antalya are important structures representing historical and cultural heritage. The protection of these roads is not only the responsibility of local governments but also the entire society. The steps to be taken to protect the road between ancient Perge and Magydus will create a legacy that will be passed on to future generations. Therefore, it is of great importance to take the necessary measures to protect the ancient road and put them into practice as soon as possible.
