17.10.2025 15:08
The installation of an air conditioning unit by drilling into the wall of the Balıkpazarı Tower, located on Paşa Camii Street in the Tuzcular neighborhood of Antalya Kaleiçi, has drawn significant backlash. This major offense against the tower, which dates back to the Hellenistic period and is one of the living witnesses of the city’s history, came to light through a complaint made to CİMER.
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The historical Balıkpazarı Tower, which has been used as a place for selling decorative items rented from the Regional Directorate of Foundations for many years, is located in Kaleiçi, which is considered the first settlement center of Antalya. It has a history of over 2,000 years, extending from the Hellenistic period to the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Beyliks, and Ottoman periods. This tower, accepted as the first settlement center of Antalya, is one of the favorite spots for millions of local and foreign tourists. However, recent inspections revealed that the walls of this historical structure were damaged by drilling for air conditioning installation.
DISRESPECT TO HISTORY REVEALED BY CIMER COMPLAINT The incident came to light with a complaint made by a citizen to the Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) on October 10. The complaint stated, "The installation of an external air conditioning unit on the tower where the C.C. business belonging to the Foundations is located in Tuzcular Neighborhood of Antalya, and the drilling of the stones is not an acceptable situation. Necessary actions should be taken against those who carried out and commissioned this operation, the air conditioning should be removed, and measures should be taken to prevent damage to our history."
NO APPLICATION OR PERMISSION REQUEST Officials from the Antalya Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Assets announced that there has been no application or permission request to the Board regarding the installation of air conditioning and the drilling of the historical tower's walls.
THEY DRILLED THE WALL OF THE HISTORICAL TOWER FOR AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION It was determined that during the air conditioning installation, the wall was drilled to create cable channels to connect the indoor and outdoor units, and the outdoor unit was fixed to the stone wall of the tower with metal feet. Experts warned that the application could cause irreversible damage to the authenticity of the historical fabric and its load-bearing structure.
"OPEN ON ALL SIDES" Dr. Mahmut Demir, who conducts scientific studies on Seljuk history, stated that the Balıkpazarı Tower, which is open on all sides, is a tower built on the water line fortified by Alaeddin Keykubad in 1226 in Antalya. Explaining the importance of Kaleiçi and the Balıkpazarı Tower, Demir said, "It is a city founded in the mid-2nd century BC by King 2nd Attalos Philadelphus of Pergamon. There must have been settlement centers here before. However, the fortified city known as 'Ataleia' was established in the mid-2nd century BC by King 2nd Attalos Philadelphus of Pergamon. One of the most characteristic features of the city is that it is surrounded by fortified walls. Similarly, it is one of the most important port cities in the Eastern Mediterranean. In all major sources, it is known as a fortified city with three layers of walls during the Middle Ages, Ancient times, and even the Early Modern period, making Ataleia an important city. The outer walls of the city are famous," he said.
"BALIKPAZARI TOWER IS IN A CENTRAL POSITION IN KALEİÇİ" Demir also explained that there are some walls within the city, stating, "These walls began to be built in the Hellenistic period. However, they were fortified during the Roman period, the Byzantine period, that is, during the period of the Eastern Roman Empire, and subsequently during the Seljuk, Beyliks, and Ottoman periods. Some parts were destroyed and some were rebuilt over time. These walls have a dynamic structure. When we look at the walls that still stand today, they have a dynamic structure. There are overlapping cultural layers, meaning the architectural elements of different civilizations are evident on these walls. Unfortunately, not all of these walls have survived to the present day. Especially in the 1930s, some parts that reached today were destroyed. There are rare towers that have survived from a fortified line that was fortified 10 years after the second conquest by Alaeddin Keykubad in 1226, and still have inscriptions from Alaeddin Keykubad on them. Perhaps the most important of these is the Balıkpazarı Tower, which is in a very central position in Kaleiçi, at a central point where the main streets of the city intersect," he said.
HISTORY DATES BACK TO THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD Demir also mentioned that there used to be a main gate next to the tower, saying, "The transition from the Muslim neighborhood to the non-Muslim neighborhood and from the non-Muslim neighborhood to the Muslim area is provided through one of the gates here. There was probably a gate that has not survived to the present day where the Balıkpazarı Tower is located. The Balıkpazarı Tower is an important tower in a central position. If we think of Seljuk Antalya and the subsequent periods, especially the Beyliks and Ottoman Antalya, the Balıkpazarı Tower conveys very important messages. It is a tower whose foundation was laid in the Hellenistic period. Like other walls, it probably bears traces of the Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, Seljuk rule, Beyliks, and the Ottoman period," he said.
"IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED LIKE OUR EYES" Demir pointed out that there is an inscription niche on the western side of the tower, stating, "The inscription has been taken, probably belonging to the period of Alaeddin Keykubad. There is an inscription dated 622 AH, 1226 AD. It is a tower that reflects Antalya, bearing traces of all periods. It is a tower that has even given its name to the area it is located in. It is one of the important symbolic monuments that should be protected, has a place in the collective memory, and should be taken care of like our eyes."
"Just as we talk about the Three Gates, Yivli Minare, Celaleddin Karatay, and Antalya Darüs-Sülehası, and Atabey Armağanşah Medresesi, the Balıkpazarı Burcu is also an important Seljuk ancient period relic and holds significance due to its central location in the city," he said.