The highway which disconnects the road of Antalya-Alanya in 5 km to Manavgat brings us to Side. Side, which means "the pomegranate" in local language, was conquered by Lydians in the VI. Century (BC) then by Selekos in 218 (BC) after decease of Alexander and Ptolenezya in 546 (BC). The Romes had also controlled Side in the II Century (BC). Until the III. Century, when the public of the mountains started to attack, there was a high quality life in Side. But after many attacks, the city became poor and the center of the bishop dignity in the V. and VI. Century (BC). The city was left until the invasion held by Arabs in the X. Century.
When you pass through the main gate of the city walls constructed in the II. Century, you will notice the monumental fountain having three stories made in the II. Century (BC). Through the old street, it is gone to the theatre area. You may see the Roma bathhouse that serves as a museum today at the right hand of the road. A round temple is seen in front of the theatre and Agora. You will see the building involving the King's hall built for Tyche on the eastern part of the Agora. This building was also used as a library. It is possible to note the traces of the church and basilica from the columns and the structure of the building.
When you turn back and continue to the way of theatre, you will see the repaired Vespasiyanus fountain next to the monumental building on the way to the village. After a while, you will arrive at the theater. Side Theatre, which was built in the II. Century (BC), have two stories. The stage of the theatre with the capacity up to 15.000 persons was constructed with the mythological signs and various embossed designs. The Dionysus temple from the old Roman time is seen next to the theatre. The columned street lying towards the village from the theatre is the continuation of the column road. In old ages, the bathhouse and the house of Byzantium were built on the right hand of the road. There is a temple of God Men to be reached through the stages, built in the II Century with design of Corinth style in a shape of semicircle on the right side of the columned street. The fountain of Byzantium is seen at the southern part of the temple. Besides, Apollo Temple and the Athena temple as the magic of the Byzantium were built in II Century on the part close to the port. After a while, a church was constructed in this temple. The dimensions of Apollo template were built as 16.37 x 29.50 m with the column in size of 6 x11 and the Athena template, which was built next to Apollo, was built in size of 17.65 x 35 m. The port, that was covered under the sand today, was noticed at the northern side of the temples. At the back side of the port, the Roman port thermion is seen significantly. Along the coast, when we walk towards, it is possible to see the traces of the bathhouse and Byzantium houses among the houses. It is again reached to the theatre. The necropolis of Side was settled outside the city walls .The west necropolis is seen behind the city beach.
