As part of its regularly organized social responsibility projects, Selectum Hotels & Resorts has begun supporting the ongoing excavations of the ancient city of Sillyon, carried out with the dedicated efforts of archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Taşkıran and his team. The aim is to uncover and preserve the cultural heritage of this ancient land where their hotels are located, and to pass it on to future generations.
Sillyon is a valuable cultural heritage site that was located in the Pamphylia Region during the Ancient Period, and is now situated in the Kocagözler area of Yanköy Neighborhood in Serik district, Antalya province. Despite being besieged by Alexander the Great around 334 BC, Sillyon remained unconquered, and in the 4th century BC, it was a powerful city that even minted its own coins.
Sillyon is Home to the Earliest Turkish-Islamic Monument in Antalya
During the Turkish-Islamic period, Sillyon was known as the Karahisar-ı Teke Fortress and served as one of the major centers of the Teke region, remaining inhabited until the 17th century. The Fortress Mosque, located at the northwestern point of the Sillyon acropolis, stands as the most significant proof of the Turkish-Islamic presence in the city and is among the earliest Turkish-Islamic structures in Antalya and its surroundings.
With the awareness that preserving cultural assets is not only about connecting with the past but also a vital responsibility for the future of society, Selectum Hotels & Resorts continues to support similar initiatives for the protection of cultural heritage. These social responsibility projects aim to contribute to both social and economic values and play a role in the continuation of research in historical sites such as the Sillyon Ancient City and the Sacred Area of the Side Harbor, helping to unearth the deep-rooted historical and cultural treasures hidden within.
