Red Tower (Alanya Castle)

The historical Red Tower, located in the Turkish city of Alanya, is an iconic symbol of the city and is even featured on its flag. Constructed during the early reign of the Anatolian Seljuq Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay Qubadh I, the building was completed in 1226. To ensure the tower was constructed to the highest standards, the sultan enlisted the services of Ebu Ali Reha, a renowned architect from Aleppo, Syria. The tower itself is an impressive sight to behold, with its octagonal shape and red brick construction. Its primary function was to safeguard the Tersane, or shipyard, which dates all the way back to 1221. In 1979, the city transformed the Red Tower into the Ethnographic Museum of Alanya, showcasing the history of both the tower and the town itself. One of the museum's main attractions is the Seljuq double-headed eagle that features prominently on the city's flag, as the museum pays particular attention to the heraldry of the region.