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Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya, Turkey photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Hadrian’s Gate

Because of its location, it is nearly impossible to visit the city and miss Hadrian’s Gate. If you’ve ever gone to Antalya, you’ve probably snapped a photo at this gate. When most travellers first view Hadrian’s Gate, they take numerous photographs of it to remember this unique experience.

Antalya (formerly known as Attaleia) in Turkey was a thriving metropolis during the Roman era. It had walls around it to protect it from invasions, and it was considered a major harbour.

Hadrian’s Gate was one of several entrances to the city, but it is the only one that still stands today. Hadrian’s Gate is a Triumphal Arch, a Roman monumental structure built in honour of a notable individual.

So not only was this gate constructed for functioning purposes, but it was also an architectural masterpiece built to show off the empire’s glory. Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about the Gate.

1. Hadrian’s Gate was built in honour of Emperor Hadrian

Emperor Hadrian photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen –

An ancient Roman structure named Hadrian’s Gate was erected in Antalya in honour of Emperor Hadrian.

One of the most illustrious and significant Roman Emperors, Hadrian governed from 117 to 138 AD. Unlike most of his predecessors, he was known for travelling far throughout his empire and spending a lot more time in the provinces.

2. Hadrian’s Gate was built in 130 AD

Hadrian’s Gate-ANTALYA photo by HALUK COMERTEL – Wikimedia commons

The Hadrian’s Gate, commonly called the “Three Gates,” or Üçkaplar was built in AD 130 in honour of the Roman emperor of Antalya. The gate, which was made of marble and granite, was originally twice as tall as it is now since it had a second level.

After being completed, the gate, which was a component of the city’s outer walls, served as a significant gateway and the main entry to Kaleiçi from the east of the city.

3. It’s the only remaining entrance gate on the walls surrounding the city

The gate was initially constructed in 130 AD as a commemoration of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s visit to Attaleia (as Antalya was known back then).

It should come as no surprise that this historic building serves as one of the primary entrances to Kaleiçi, the city’s stunning historic district. The gate, which was referred to as Hadriyanüs Kaps in Turkish, was a portion of the city’s outer fortifications and after it was finished, it served as a significant entrance.

Hadrian’s Gate is the only remaining entrance gate on the walls surrounding the city and harbour.

4. It has two towers on either side that date from various historical eras

Hadrian’s Gate in Antalya photo by Ingo Mehling – Wikimedia commons

Hadrian’s Gate consists of two collonaded facades, three entry arches rising above four pylons and a tower standing on either side. The two towers on either side of the gate come from different periods of history. It is about 8 meters (26.2 feet) high.

The Southern Tower, known as the Julia Sancta, is from the Roman era but was likely built independently of the gate.

The bottom section of the Northern Tower is from Roman times, but the upper part was rebuilt in the first half of the thirteenth century AD during the reign of Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I and contains an inscription in Arabic script

5. Hadrian’s Gate has three same-sized archways

Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya, Turkey photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin –

Hadrian’s Gate is a classic Roman triumphal arc, measuring around eight meters (26.2 feet) from the ancient pavement to the very top of the gate’s entablature. It contains three same-sized archways.

Visitors may view finely decorated façades with four columns each in the front and back of the gate. The façades are built of white marble, except for the column shafts, which are made of granite.

Another impressive feature of the gate is the entablature, which rises to a height of 1.28 meters (4.2 feet) from both sides and features an elaborate cornice with images like lion heads and a frieze with floral patterns.

The barrel vaults located on the archways are also quite decorative with caissons that each have their floral motifs and rosettes.

6. The Queen of Sheba is said to have passed under the gate

Painting depicting the visit of Arabian Queen of Sheba to the court of Biblical King Solomon of Jerusalem photo by Edward Poynter –

Local legend claims that Sultana Belkis, the Queen of Sheba, passed those gates and spent a joyous day in the palace in Aspendos on her trip to see King Solomon.

However, as she and Solomon were alive about a thousand years before Hadrian, if she had done so, she would have gone through a different form of Hadrian’s Gate.

7. Hadrian’s Gate was rediscovered by Francis Beaufort in 1817

Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort 1774-1857 photo by Stephen Pearce –

Francis Beaufort, who was in charge of HMS Fredericksteen at the time, rediscovered the gate in 1817. Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, an Irish-British hydrographer, wrote about his journeys along Asia Minor’s southern shore in his diary, which was later published, and he first came across the gate in 1817.

Beaufort mentions a higher level in this particular description of the gate, but no other reports from after the 19th century refer to this enlargement, indicating that it was destroyed at that time.

8. It once had the statue of Emperor Hadrian on top of it

A second floor previously stood above the arch of the gate, but it is no longer there. A statue of Emperor Hadrian originally stood above the gate.

Hadrian’s Gate is the best example of city gates becoming monuments instead of defence elements, as it was built during a long period of peace (Pax Romana).

9. It is considered to be Pamphylia’s most beautiful gate

Details of the arch of the Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya, Turkey photo by Bernard Gagnon – Wikimedia commons

It is considered Pamphylia’s most beautiful gate. Except for the pillars (made of granite), the upper portion is entirely made of white marble and features three cupola-shaped openings. Reliefs of flowers and rosettes are used to embellish the three corridors.

The decoration is highly eye-catching. Although little is known about the top floor of the original gate’s two stories, it is thought to have housed statues of the emperor and his family.

With a height of 1.28 meters, the Gate’s entablature surrounds it (4.2 feet). It has an elaborate cornice with lion heads and a frieze adorned with floral patterns.

10. Hadrian’s Gate was restored in 1959

The gate’s exterior was formerly enclosed by the city walls, and it was abandoned for a long time. It may not have been damaged because of this, and its existence was only discovered after the walls fell in the 1950s.

In 1959, the gate was restored. The original Roman-era walkway was made visible by removing the pavement; it may be seen while passing through the main arch through Perspex flooring.

When looking down, visitors to the Gate can see very deep grooves where the pavement was worn away by numerous carts moving in and out of the city.