About 25 kilometres north of Alanya is the mountain village of Güzelbag and about 6 kilometres further up a narrow road and over rough tracks you can see in a field on your right-hand side a stone tomb and stone coffins.
About 25 kilometres north of Alanya is the mountain village of Güzelbag and about 6 kilometres further up a narrow road and over rough tracks you can see in a field on your right-hand side a stone tomb and stone coffins. On the other side are steps in the rocks which lead up to the ruins of Colyabrassos. Only some corner pillars remain of the temple. The roof and the sidewalls have all collapsed! For some of the houses the ground plan is identifiable and square stones are lying around all over the place. The granite blocks, which are all precisely hewn, and the dovetailing of the fallen stones of the roof, suggest an excellent builder. The constructions were created by the preciseness of the stones placed on top of each other as no cement or mortar was used.

Unfortunately there is hardly anything known about the city and visitors will wonder how Colyabrassos could exist about 3000 years ago in this remote area. It is at least 15 kilometres as the crow flies to the sea and it is difficult to imagine that there was a trade route going through here. The method of building proves that it was a Hellenic settlement but after destruction by earthquake or war no other ethnic group seems to have settled in this city.

Colyabrassos is not developed for tourism yet but visitors interested in history can investigate by themselves. In addition, on the way up to Colyabrassos there are wonderful views of the beautiful scenery of theTaurus Mountains and you can catch a glimpse of the way of life in Turkish villages. Motorcyclists will like the twisting mountain road, if you choose to come by car however it is advisable to use a Jeep. A normal car would have to be left at the side of the road about 2 kilometres from Colyabrassos because of the bad roads.

It is only 25 kilometres from the Turkish Coast but far away from mass tourism!

Tip: You can combine your trip with a visit to the ’ucansu şelalesi’ (flying waterfall) an impressive waterfall and the spring of the Alara River. Stop at ‘Yakup’s’ simple little Turkish snack bar with its friendly service and maybe the smallest toilets in the world!

Martin Bernhart