Alara Castle is 37 km west of Alanya on a sharp hill by the Alara Stream. It was built to ensure the safety of the caravans stopping at the Silk Road and the Alara Han on the side of the Alara Stream. The castle was rebuilt in 1232 by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, preserving the Byzantine ruins inside.
Alara Castle has a magnificent appearance and is an important defense and control point. It is on the top of a steep rock that rises from 200 meters to 500 meters. The castle is divided into two as outer and inner parts. It is entered by passing through a corridor with 120 steps. There is a deep pit towards the middle of this corridor. Among the ruins of the castle, there is a small palace, the rooms of the castle officials and a bath. The rocks inside were carved into tunnels. While visiting the castle, it is necessary to pay attention to the weeds and ruins since it has not yet been opened as a ruined site.
After visiting the Alara Castle is a historical and touristic sightseeing area, you can swim in the cool waters of the Alara Stream, located under the castle, and take a pleasant and peaceful rest break at the restaurants on the stream.
Alara Han was built on the edge of Alara Stream, on a plain 800 meters away from Alara Castle. According to the inscription above the arched doorway on the northeast facade, the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad built the han between 1231 and 1232. It is thought to have been built to accommodate the sultan's army during his travels on the routes of Alanya, Antalya and Konya.
The han has a rectangular planned sitting area extending in the northeast-southwest direction. It was mostly built with cut stones, while rubble stones were used on the slope's sides. The entrance section of the hans spans an area of 2000 square meters. It is designed as a small square courtyard. In the interior, there is a corridor in the center and rooms arranged in an iwan arrangement at the edges of the corridor. Lighting is provided by narrow and long windows on the outer walls. Inside the han, right after the door, there is a fountain iwan with its ornate vault and a small mosque on the other side.
Alara Han has a different place among the Anatolian caravanserais in its plan. It has survived until today and has been restored. It is open to visitors and is used as a restaurant and shopping center.
